Shafer Vineyards is a renowned family-owned winery located in the Stags Leap District AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, California. The estate was founded in 1972 by John Shafer, who transformed a hillside vineyard in Stags Leap District into one of the most respected wineries in Napa Valley. Today Shafer Vineyards is internationally recognized for producing some of the region’s most distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
The vineyards are planted on the sunlit slopes of the Stags Leap District, an appellation known for combining power with elegance. The soils consist of volcanic rock and well-draining gravelly loams that are particularly well suited for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of the estate’s most famous wines.
Shafer wines are known for their balance of ripe Napa fruit and refined structure. Aromas often include cassis, black cherry and plum, complemented by notes of cedar, tobacco, cocoa and subtle spice derived from ageing in French oak barrels. The wines show polished tannins and a long, layered finish.
One of the estate’s most celebrated wines is Hillside Select, a powerful Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from steep hillside vineyards in the Stags Leap District. It has become one of Napa Valley’s iconic cult wines, admired for its depth, concentration and remarkable ageing potential.
