Working out of a custom crush facility in Calistoga, as they recover from the devastating Glass Fire, Newton Vineyard, the dream of Peter Newton continues to shine. Now owned by LVMH, Newton Vineyard more than ever is showcasing the strength of their team as they continue to produce award winning wines during one of the most adverse times in the winery’s history.

Shortly after improvements to their winery in 2020, the Glass Fire unleashed its fury on their beautiful Spring Mountain property claiming the winery and most of the vineyard. Only 5 acres of the renowned Spring Mountain vineyard survived the blaze. To add insult to injury, you can tack on a severe drought in the region and a global pandemic to Newton’s recovery headwinds. Luckily, their vineyards in Carneros, Yountville and Mt. Veeder survived the fires.

During our visit we tasted a couple of their Chardonnays, the 2016 Single Vineyard Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon and their 2018 iconic blend The Puzzle at Brasswood in Calistoga, their present tasting room while they rebuild their winery. The tasting room is inviting and cozy all wrapped into one. Ignacio Gutierrez, who is the Senior Wine Ambassador for the winery, led us through the tasting and thoroughly enriched us with the history of Peter’s dream which dates back to 1977 and with the vision that LVMH has to continue the Newton Vineyard legacy. 

Their wines, as noted by many throughout the years, are elegant and complex. The 2017 Beckstoffer Single Vineyard Chardonnay captivated us and the boldness and sophistication of The Puzzle helped us understand why it is often sought out by collectors. Perhaps it is their commitment to sustainable farming or their attention to detail in the cellar that makes Newton’s wines special, what we know is that they are making wines worth seeking.

Speaking of sustainable farming, Newton Vineyard, is part of the Napa Green Certified Land and Winery Program. Newton takes great pride in farming all their land organically. From cover crops that help enrich the soil to water irrigation practices that protect the Valley’s aquifer, Newton is a steward of the land and of our environment.

Finishing up the cleaning of the fire devastation, replanting a vineyard, recovering from the total loss of the 2020 vintage and building a winery all at once might seem like an impossible task, however the Newton team is optimistic about marrying the past and the future. After our visit, it was evident to us by their hospitality, their appreciation for the rich history of the winery and by the wines they are producing that the legacy of Peter Newton will continue to be present in Napa Valley and around the world for years to come.