Pritchard Hill

"Pritchard Hill may be remote, but with wineries there costing $20 million or more to build, it's Napa Valley's Rodeo Drive." — Wine Spectator

Pritchard Hill remains a jewel within Napa Valley, home to top wineries like Bryant Estate, Colgin Cellars, Chappellet Winery, and more. This small, unofficial appellation was brought to national acclaim in 1967 when Donn Chappellet purchased more than 300 acres for his new winery. Since then, Pritchard Hill has exploded into a hub for Napa Cult Wines and estates producing similar quality cuvées. Always intense, powerful, and highly concentrated, Pritchard Hill wines are singular in their palate and one of the most extraordinary winemaking regions in the world.

Pritchard Hill Origins

Pritchard Hill's modern history can be traced back to Charles Pritchard, a New Yorker who settled in Napa in the 1860s. Pritchard is the first non-native in recorded history to use the land, working the land from the time of his settlement until the Prohibition era. Following the infamous 18th Amendment, Pritchard Hill remained fairly desolate, with no recorded winemaking in the post-Prohibition era. It was not until 1967, when Donn and Molly Chappellet stumbled upon the untamed vines, that Pritchard Hill found a new proprietor. The pair first purchased an existing 50-acre site before acquiring 320 acres over the following two decades. Subsequently, their inaugural 1969 Chappellet Cabernet, crafted by legendary winemaker Phillip Togni, brought much prestige to the region. The bottle was later rated 100 points by Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate and has been retroactively noted as one of Napa's greatest wines and a pioneer in mountain-grown Cabernet.

Over the following decades, the Chappellets slowly sold acreage to Napa newcomers, beginning by gifting an unused 950-acre site to their son, David Arthur Long, marking the birth of David Arthur Vineyards. Next, the pair sold land to Don Bryant of Bryant Family Vineyards in 1986, the IX Estate site to Ann Colgin, and 15 acres to Ovid Winery in 2000.

Today, Pritchard Hill hosts numerous Napa Cult Wineries, such as Continuum Estate, Alpha Omega Winery, Tor Wines, Realm Houyi Vineyard (formerly of Nine Suns Winery), Stagecoach Vineyards, and more. While the name has become synonymous with high-quality mountain-grown Cabernet, Pritchard Hill was trademarked by the Chappellets in 1998, barring it from commercial use by any other winery. The name first appeared on the 1971 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon, and remains the only winery and label in which it appears. 

Pritchard Hill Napa Terroir and Wines

Pritchard Hill's steep slopes are located east of Oakville at 1,800 feet of elevation. The region encompasses more than 300 acres of land and contains red, volcanic, rocky dirt with great exposure and drainage. The eastern hills provide excellent warmth, though nighttime temperatures regulate the region, preserving the freshness and structure of the fruit. 

Once ripened, the Cabernet grows to become concentrated, powerful, and intense, showcasing firm tannins and a distinct mineral intensity. The thick skins and low yields have become a signature of Pritchard Hill, found nowhere else in Napa Valley. The Bryant Estate has named the terroir "the holy grail of fine wine production," as the concentrated dark fruit palate and deeply colored wines have garnered multiple 100-point ratings from reputable critics. 

Does the Pritchard Hill AVA Exist?

Due to the Chappellet's trademark of "Pritchard Hill," the region remains Napa Valley's greatest "unofficial appellation." For many collectors, the name acts as a Napa AVA and holds great weight thanks to the vast collection of prestigious producers. With no end in sight to the Chappellet's trademark, Pritchard Hill continues its journey as a sub-appellation. 

Add Pritchard Hill Wines To Your Collection

Pritchard Hill wines are consistently acclaimed for their intense concentration and power, producing some of Napa Valley's most exciting names. With wines from Bryant Estate and  Colgin Cellars available, now is the perfect time to add a wine from this region to your cellar. Browse our in-stock selection of Pritchard Hill wines today.