Piña Napa Valley winery is truly one of Napa Valley's secret wineries. Perched above the Silverado Trail east of Rutherford, the winery is home to six different Cabernet Sauvignons from vineyards that the family farms in the Napa Valley. Piña winery is one of the few eighth generation winemaking and farming families in Napa Valley. Today, they also run one of the Napa Valley's most respected vineyard management companies. The Piña name means “fruit of the pine” in Spanish.
The family's history of making and growing wine stretches back to their great-great grandfather, who settled in Napa in the 1850's. The family's great-grandfather learned winemaking at the Harris Winery. He then went on to make wine at Brun and Chaix Winery and directed winemaking at Inglenook after Gustave Niebaum's death. Their grandfather and father carried on the winemaking tradition. The four sons of John Piña Jr. and Arline Piña now run the winery today. Their parents started Piña Vineyard Management in the 60's and the sons started the winery in the 70's. The family takes great pride in sharing their traditions of farming and winemaking that have been passed down through generations.
They bought an 8-acre property on top of Howell Mountain, which was dubbed “Buckeye.” With a southwest exposure, 5.97 acres are planted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the vines stretching across the different contours of the vineyard. The vineyard extends across a partially terraced hillside and the slopes vary in their steepness. Piña Napa Valley vineyard is farmed sustainably with owl houses and raptor perches. Cover crops include Rose clover, Crimson clover and Blando brome. The winery’s first release was in 2000 and they have been steadily producing ever since.
