Vineyard 29 has laid claim as one of Napa Valley's most esteemed estates since its 1989 inception, increasing its stature with Chuck and Ann McMinn's purchase in 2000. Set on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, Vineyard 29 owns historic vineyards that produce some of the region's best expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. In July 2025, the McMinn's put the winery up for sale at $65 million, as Vineyard 29 looks to move into a new era.
Vineyard 29 History
Vineyard 29 was founded in 1989 by Teresa Norton and Tom Paine, naming the estate after their address: 2929 on California's State Route 29. The pair quickly enlisted David Abreu to plant the small 3-acre property with Cabernet Sauvignon and produced the inaugural vintage in 1992 with the help of Gary Galleron from the Grace Family Vineyards. The estate remained a boutique winery throughout the 1990s, attracting star names like Heidi Barrett and Philippe Melka as head winemaker in the middle of the decade. However, Vineyard 29 truly blossomed in 2000, when Chuck McMinn, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former Intel Executive, purchased the estate.
Upon the acquisition, Chuck and his wife Ann McMinn purchased the historic Aida Estate Vineyard, immediately expanding the estate from 3 acres to 47 acres. With the expansion came plantings of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, adding new layers to the existing Vineyard 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and new offerings in the Vineyard 29 portfolio. The estate has since added Vineyard 29 South, Railroad Estate, and Winner Estate to its land holdings and now produces around nine wines each vintage.
Vineyard 29 Napa Valley Wines
29 Estate Vineyard
Nestled on the slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, this historic vineyard boasts well-draining, gravelly, loamy soils that contribute to the concentration and complexity of its Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc. The eastward-facing aspect allows for optimal sunlight and ripening, while the upper elevations provide shade from the intense afternoon rays. Resultingly, the fruit develops immense strength, aging ability, smooth tannic structure, and an increased amount of sugar compared to acid.
Vineyard 29 Aida Estate
"Sitting on the valley floor just to the northeast of Vineyard 29 is the Aida Estate – first brought to my attention when Larry Turley was producing some great Zinfandels from this site. It looks like Châteauneuf du Pape with plenty of rocks... and it has been pretty sensational since the beginning." — Robert Parker
The Vineyard 29 Aida Estate dates back to the 1920s, featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Zinfandel on rocky, river-deposited soils. It's poor drainage stresses the vines, resulting in smaller, more concentrated fruit and bold, structured wines. The site still features some of the original Zinfandel vines, though most were replanted or replaced with Cabernet Sauvignon.
The historic site produces the Aida Estate Zinfandel, Aida Estate Late Harvest Zinfandel, Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Merlot, and Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Each of the Zinfandels has been acclaimed for its creamy textures, vibrant palates, and exotic aromas. Furthermore, the 2013 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon gained the winery its first and only 100-point score from Robert Parker. When reviewing the wine, the famed critic noted the bottle's rich, full-bodied profile, immense aging ability, and "Graves-like nose," comparing the wine to top vintages from Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Vineyard 29 CRU Wines
Vineyard 29's CRU portfolio complements their estate offerings, featuring meticulously crafted blends that express the unique characteristics of various vineyards throughout Napa Valley and Oregon's Willamette Valley. These wines exemplify Vineyard 29's commitment to elegance, quality, and the art of winemaking.
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CRU Cabernet Sauvignon: A blend of valley floor and hillside vineyards, showcasing the complexity and character of Napa Valley Cabernet.
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CRU Sauvignon Blanc: A vibrant expression of Napa Valley's Sauvignon Blanc, offering crisp acidity and lively citrus flavors.
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CRU Rosé: A refreshing and elegant rosé crafted from select Napa Valley vineyards.
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CRU Pinot Noir: A delicate and nuanced Pinot Noir sourced from stellar vineyards in Oregon's Willamette Valley.
Vineyard 29 Winemaking
Vineyard 29's winemaking is based on a mix of New World technology and Old World techniques. Each site is farmed organically, from site selection and crop yield to meticulous harvesting decisions. Hand harvests are transported from the vineyard to the cellar for destemming and optical sorting. Next, the fruit is transferred to fermentation tanks for a gentle pressing that is computer-controlled.
The prestigious cellar was completed in 2004 by renowned Napa architect John Lail, who built a 17,000 square foot facility built of stone materials to seamlessly blend into the surrounding natural landscape. Furthermore, 13,000 square feet of man-made caves were created to showcase the wines in spectacular fashion, while providing the perfect temperature and humidity conditions for barrel aging. The three combined tunnels reach back 125 feet into the Mayacamas Mountains and have become a coveted destination for Napa Valley visitors.
