Heitz Cellar is one of Napa Valley’s most historic and respected wineries, credited with helping define the region’s reputation for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz, the winery quickly set itself apart through a commitment to quality, single-vineyard expression, and an elegant, restrained style that contrasted with the more powerful wines that would later dominate Napa’s image.

The breakthrough moment came in 1966, when Joe Heitz began producing Cabernet Sauvignon from the Martha’s Vineyard site in Oakville, owned by Tom and Martha May. This became the first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley, and it remains an icon to this day, instantly recognizable for its distinctive minty, eucalyptus-like character and its remarkable ability to age for decades. Martha’s Vineyard cemented Heitz Cellar’s reputation as a benchmark producer and showed the world that Napa could rival Bordeaux in both quality and prestige.

The winery’s approach has always emphasized traditional methods and a patient philosophy. Heitz wines are known for being aged significantly longer before release than most of their peers, with extensive time in both oak and bottle to ensure balance and refinement. The style favors elegance, structure, and restraint, focusing on purity of fruit and terroir expression rather than sheer power. This makes Heitz wines distinctively timeless, capable of long aging and often showing beautifully subtle evolution over time.

In addition to Martha’s Vineyard, Heitz Cellar produces other vineyard-designated Cabernets as well as Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Port-style wines, all crafted with the same meticulous standards. Under new ownership since 2018, the winery has continued to honor its heritage while investing in sustainability and vineyard health, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come.

As a brand, Heitz Cellar represents the heart of Napa’s history: pioneering, principled, and devoted to authenticity. It is a symbol of what makes Napa unique—family-driven vision, respect for the land, and wines that have stood the test of time as true American classics.