Quintessa

Agustin and Valeria Huneeus purchased Quintessa in 1989 as one of the last large unplanted properties on the Napa Valley floor. The founding vision was clear from the start: design an estate built to produce a single, exceptional wine each year with no second label. First vines were planted in 1990 and 1991, and the first commercial vintage followed in 1994. The gravity-flow winery, complete with 17,000 square feet of caves, was completed in 2002. Jean Claude Berrouet, the longtime winemaker at Petrus, consulted on the initial planning, grounding the project in Bordeaux sensibility from the outset.

• Purchased in 1989 as virgin, unplanted land
• One of the last large unplanted Napa Valley floor properties at time of purchase
• First vines planted 1990 to 1991; first commercial vintage 1994
• Jean Claude Berrouet (former Petrus winemaker) consulted on initial vineyard planning

The 280-acre property holds the highest elevation point in the Rutherford appellation and encompasses a remarkable range of natural features: a lake, five hills, river access, and five distinct soil types spread across five separate microclimates. This geological diversity is reflected in 26 individually farmed vineyard blocks planted at varying exposures and elevations. Ancient oak and madrone trees from the original landscape have been preserved throughout the estate. Current winemaker Rebekah Wineburg works with this block-by-block complexity, using blending to express individual site character in the final wine.

• Five distinct soil types and five separate microclimates across the estate
• 26 distinct vineyard blocks at varying exposures and elevations
• Highest elevation point in the Rutherford appellation
• Ancient oak and madrone trees preserved from the original landscape

Quintessa made a deliberate, phased transition to sustainable farming. Organic practices were adopted in 1995, followed by biodynamic farming in 2000. After two decades of practicing these methods, the estate received CCOF organic certification and Demeter biodynamic certification in 2021. This timeline reflects a commitment to farming philosophy that preceded formal recognition by more than twenty years.

• Moved to organic farming in 1995
• Biodynamic farming adopted in 2000
• CCOF organic certification and Demeter biodynamic certification both received in 2021
• Certifications came over 20 years after farming practices were first implemented

Quintessa produces a single proprietary red blend each year using all five Bordeaux varieties grown on the estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère. Carménère is a notably rare inclusion in a Napa blend and reflects the Chilean heritage of the Huneeus family. Under the Illumination label, the estate also produces a Sauvignon Blanc. The flagship wine is fully allocated and available only through wine club membership.

• Blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère
• Carménère is a rare variety in Napa Valley red blends
• Illumination is the estate's Sauvignon Blanc label
• Flagship wine fully allocated; wine club membership required for access