Shafer

The Shafer property has been a site for grape growing and winemaking since 1880, during Napa Valley’s first boom as an American wine country. Napa’s pioneer vintners not only filled San Francisco’s wine cellars, but shipped wine across the country and earned gold medals at the 1889 Paris Exposition. Even during Prohibition, when wine production was essentially outlawed, operations were continued without interruption by Batista and Maria Scansi, immigrants from Carlazzo, Italy, who maintained the vineyards (and made a bit of secret wine).

In 1972 ownership transferred to John Shafer, a Chicago publishing executive, who spent the mid-1970s planting the hillside estate to Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-scale winemaking began in 1978 with the production of the first Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1983 John’s son, Doug, joined the winery as Winemaker. The following year saw Elias Fernandez join the winery as Assistant Winemaker.

Over the ensuing decades this team forged the trademark Shafer style of elegance, richness, and balance, encapsulated by Hillside Select. Elias ascended to Head Winemaker in 1994 and in 2002 was named Food & Wine’s “Winemaker of the Year.” This honor was recognized by a ceremony at the White House celebrating Elias as a leader in the Latino community. Countless other honors have followed.

As Elias Fernandez marks over 40 harvests, Shafer Vineyards is known as one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated and historic wineries. They consistently produce wines that inspire delicious, memorable moments wherever they are poured.

Looking forward as the current stewards of this land, they take inspiration from nearly 150 years of passionate and gifted predecessors. Those who saw the rich promise of this site, cared for it meticulously, and preserved its beauty and power for future generations.