Napa and Cabernet Sauvignon are intrinsically linked. The grape brought fame to the region, and in return, the region elevated the grape’s qualities in ways that stood apart from classic winegrowing regions, like Bordeaux. Today, over half of the vineyard acreage is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, according to Napa Valley Vintners.
There’s no shortage of marquee names in Napa. From cult Cabernets such as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate to historically significant producers such as Chateau Montelena and Beaulieu Vineyards to wineries whose style never goes out of fashion, such as Corison, any wine collector worth their cellar can reel off a roster of renowned Napa Cabernet producers. However, these wineries don’t offer a full picture: the valley is filled with smaller, under-the-radar estates producing high-caliber Cabernet. Some aren’t solely focused on Cabernet, either, which means they bring the sensibilities of other varieties into their Cab. And while Napa Cabernet certainly isn’t cheap by any means, there are values to be found. Here are eight lesser-known producers to try if you love Napa Cabernet.
Gallica Wine
Rosemary Cakebread has quietly been influencing Napa palates for over 45 years, first as the former winemaker at Spottswoode and Mumm Napa Valley, before launching her personal label, Gallica, in 2007. At first focused on old-vine Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, she expanded to include Grenache and white varieties, such as Chenin Blanc and Albariño. Although 2024 was the last vintage from her St. Helena estate vineyard before replanting commenced, Cabernet from Oakville remains a tentpole in her portfolio. Like her Grenache, the Oakville Cabernet, retailing for around $170, is lithe, elegant, and restrained, with high-tone aromas.
Pestoni Family Estate Winery
Fifth-generation-owned Pestoni sources fruit solely from its three estate vineyards in Howell Mountain, Rutherford, and Quackenbush Mountain in Lake County. As an homage to its founder, Albino Pestoni, who founded the property in 1892, Pestoni continues to cultivate several Italian varieties, such as Sangiovese and Barbera, along with Bordeaux varieties. The Howell Mountain Cabernet, approximately $125, shows lots of bright fruit, finely textured and well-integrated tannins, and a plushness on the palate.
Ashes & Diamonds Winery
Call it the cool kids’ Cabernet. With experiments such as zero-zero winemaking and mentions in Vogue, Ashes & Diamonds has caught the attention of a certain segment of the population that largely eschews Napa. Two primary winemakers oversee different parts of the portfolio: Steve Matthiasson creates blends, and Diana Snowden Seysses focuses on single-vineyard bottlings. All of the wines are restrained yet intensely aromatic. Selling for around $135, the Cabernet No. 6, from the high-elevation Mountain Peak Vineyard, shows intense concentration on the palate.
Benevolent Neglect Wines
Founded in 2013, Benevolent Neglect plays around with a cornucopia of grape varieties. In the lounge-y, vibe-y downtown Napa tasting room, it’s possible to taste Counoise, Riesling, Gamay, and Ribolla Gialla all in one sitting. But Benevolent Neglect, which takes a low-intervention approach to winemaking, also does classic Napa Cabernet. “There’s something to be said for working with traditional grape varieties and seeing how you stack up,” says winemaker Matthew Nagy, who worked with winemakers such as Steve Matthiasson and Thomas Rivers Brown. The Cabernet, which runs about $125, straddles the line between refined and opulent.
Favia Wines
Winemaker Andy Erickson and viticulturist Annie Favia have worked at many of Napa’s premier estates, but Favia, founded in 2003, is the couple’s personal label. It started with a small, five-acre vineyard in Coombsville, and later expanded to a much larger site in Oakville. Both vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically. The Coombsville property contains light volcanic ash soils and is about 10 degrees cooler than the Oakville site. Both of these elements create a Cabernet, priced at around $250, with minerality and salinity woven throughout the fruit profile.
Pym-Rae
The Tesseron family, who own Bordeaux’s Pontet-Canet, brought their biodynamic farming practices and prowess with Cabernet Sauvignon to Napa over a decade ago, and established Pym-Rae on Mount Veeder. The estate was the former home of the late actor Robin Williams, and the name Pym-Rae comes from the middle names of his children. It’s a plush, elegant wine with lots of tension and minerality, and sells for around $350.
Keplinger Wines
Helen Keplinger’s long and storied career included stints under Napa legend Heidi Barrett, overseas in Spain’s Priorat, and at famed Napa estates such as Bryant Family Vineyard and Grace Estates. Her personal label, Keplinger, in partnership with her husband, DJ Warner, focuses on a global range of wines, from Spanish varieties to Rhône grapes. But, as they split their time between Paso Robles and Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon takes focus. The Oakville Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which sells for approximately $220, comes from red volcanic soils high on the Vaca mountain range.
No Love Lost Wine Co.
Winemaker Jay Nunez wants to break the standard Napa Valley mold, and his tasting room in downtown Napa shows off the depth and breadth of his creativity. From Mencia to Counoise to Albariño, his low-intervention winemaking highlights all that California has to offer. But, being in Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon still plays a role in the lineup. This Cabernet, however, is a lighter and fresher iteration than many of its neighbors, with bright fruit. At just $75 a bottle, it’s also one of the more affordable Napa Cabernets on the market.
