Chimney Rock Winery sits on the Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District with estate vineyards that have been farmed since 1980. The winery’s Cape Dutch architecture, inspired by South Africa’s winemaking heritage, is among the most recognizable in Napa Valley.

History of Chimney Rock Winery

Hack and Stella Wilson founded Chimney Rock in 1980, purchasing property in the Stags Leap District that had once been a golf course. They built the distinctive Cape Dutch-style winery building, planted Cabernet Sauvignon, and began producing wines that quickly earned recognition for their Stags Leap District character.

The Terlato family purchased Chimney Rock in 2004 and has continued the estate-focused approach. Winemaker Elizabeth Vianna joined the team and has refined the program while maintaining the commitment to the Stags Leap District fruit that defines the estate. The winery produces exclusively from estate vineyards, keeping production focused and quality high.

The winery was named for a distinctive rock formation on the property, a towering volcanic outcrop visible from the Silverado Trail that echoes the palisade cliffs defining the AVA.

Stags Leap District terroir and the Chimney Rock estate

The Stags Leap District sits in a natural amphitheater on the eastern floor of Napa Valley, framed by the ancient volcanic palisade cliffs that the AVA is named for. San Pablo Bay afternoon winds push north through the valley and cool the district significantly during the warmest part of the growing season, extending hang time and preserving the acidity that gives Stags Leap District Cabernet its trademark freshness.

Chimney Rock farms about 100 estate acres in the heart of the district. Soils are primarily volcanic loam over fractured basalt, thin and well-drained. The rocky outcrops on the property, including the chimney rock formation itself, are remnants of the same ancient volcanic activity that formed the palisades.

The wines of Chimney Rock Winery

Cabernet Sauvignon is the focus and the estate workhorse. The Stags Leap District Cabernet shows the AVA’s signature: dark fruit, graphite, and silky tannins with firm underlying structure. It is built to age and develops well over ten or more years.

Elevage is the flagship red blend, a Bordeaux-inspired meritage of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot from estate blocks. It adds complexity and texture to the single-varietal Cabernet and is the wine collectors seek. Chimney Rock also produces a Rosé of Cabernet Franc and small amounts of white wine from estate Sauvignon Blanc.

Food pairings for Chimney Rock wines

The Stags Leap District Cabernet and Elevage blend want food with the depth and richness to match them. Dry-aged beef is the natural pairing: the fat and protein in a well-marbled ribeye or prime rib soften the tannins and let the cassis and graphite come forward. Braised short ribs or lamb shanks work for the same reason.

The Cabernet Franc Rosé is a different proposition: its herbal, red-fruit character and bright acidity make it one of the most versatile wines at the estate. Roasted salmon, a summer charcuterie board, grilled vegetables, or a light pasta with tomato sauce all work well. Serve it cold, not just chilled.

Chimney Rock Winery: common questions