Happy 50 Years at Joseph Phelps Vineyards
History of Wine Excellence in Napa Valley
One of my favorite places to visit on every trip to Napa Valley is Joseph Phelps Vineyards. It is hard to believe that the Vineyard/Winery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring.
“March 1, 1973. It was a Thursday. Roberta Flack was at the top of the American music charts and Pink Floyd released its landmark Dark Side of the Moon album. It was also the day Joe Phelps acquired a 600-acre former cattle ranch just outside the small community of St. Helena, Napa Valley in order to establish his namesake winery. It was the beginning of an unparalleled journey in wine.” – Joseph Phelps Vineyards
In the late summer of 2021, I was invited for a portfolio tasting at the newly designed Joseph Phelps Winery located on a hill in and above the famous Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. What a treat to taste those wines with their top educator and their [then] consulting Master Sommelier, Jay James, MS. My recommendations for some of the favorites are below. See that newsletter, “Joseph Phelps Vineyards: More Than the Flagship Wine, Insignia, Sept. 2021.
In the Beginning….at Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Fifty years later, we are in awe of what was accomplished along the journey, from laying out vineyards and construction of the winery, to the first varietally labeled Syrah and the first proprietary named blend of Bordeaux style varieties known as Insignia in 1974. Joe was also an early proponent of single vineyard wines through Backus and Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir from the Heinemann Vineyard.
The winery also made intentional land acquisitions over many years in Rutherford, Oakville, Stags Leap District, the Oak Knoll District and South Napa. Eventually, the quest for the perfect place to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay took Phelps to the western Sonoma Coast region of Freestone beginning in 1999. Standout moments include the renovation of our beloved original winery in 2014, and the bittersweet farewell to Joe Phelps upon his passing in 2015. The winery launched its first culinary program in 2017 to expand hospitality offerings, and continually positioned Joseph Phelps wines for global recognition that created an exceptional foundation for our next fifty years. See the biography of Joseph Phelps, The Best We Can Be.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Their “Firsts” in California
· First varietally labeled Syrah- a grape generally unknown in California in 1972
· First proprietary named blend in Bordeaux-style, called Insignia, 1974
I first began visiting Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the early 1990’s because of the reputation of their flagship Bordeaux-style wine, Insignia, which incorporates the finest grapes of each vintage. This winery was known as one of the first Napa Valley wineries to embrace and showcase food and wine pairings for its visitors. And why not? Bordeaux varieties show off their power and elegance with food. That wine-food pairing experience led me back to Joseph Phelps Vineyards on multiple occasions with friends and family. I will be back this Fall once again.
“First, after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Joseph Phelps took over his father’s small local general contracting business. He built it into Hensel Phelps Construction, an industry powerhouse that has built schools, bridges, airports, hospitals, libraries, museums, and other vital economic and social resources across America, including a launchpad for NASA and a new protective casing for the Pentagon in the wake of 9/11.
In the late 1960s, America began to awaken to the joys of wine and food, and Joe soon joined in. He embarked on a second career in the Napa Valley and created, from scratch, a winery of exceptional beauty and distinction. Joseph Phelps joined hands with like-minded pioneers and helped transform the Napa Valley into what it is today: one of the premier wine growing regions of the world, and a dream destination for wine and food lovers from around the globe.” -from The Best We Can Be
The 50-Year Legacy of Joseph Phelps
Since 1972 the Napa Valley home of Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a 670-acre former cattle ranch. Current estate vineyards span the districts of St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Stags Leap District, Oak Knoll, South Napa and Carneros. In 1999 the family purchased land near Freestone on the Sonoma Coast. With its Goldridge soils and cooler climate this location was rumored to have high potential for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Dedicated to sustainability, Joseph Phelps vineyards exhibits the biodiversity of vineyards, olive trees, fruit trees, and owl and bluebird boxes to help with rodent control, composting, and solar panels. Active family philanthropy includes a donation of 480-acre conservation easement to the Land Trust of Napa County for farmworker housing. The current Board of Directors include Joe’s daughters Leslie, Laurie, Lynn and 3rd generation family members, Elizabeth Neuman, Will Phelps, maintaining and nurturing Joseph Phelps Vineyards.
Notable Awards
The 2002 Insignia vintage was awarded “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine in 2005 and Robert Parker Wine Advocate has awarded four perfect 100-point scores to the 1991, 1997, 2002 and 2007 vintages of Insignia, calling it “one of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends.”
Let’s raise a glass to the first fifty years of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, with many more to come!
Wine Recommendations for Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2020 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Chardonnay, Pastorale Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, $90
94 Points, James Suckling
2019 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards, Sonoma Coast $60
97 Points, Wine Enthusiast
2018 Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Insignia, Napa Valley, $280
99 Points, James Suckling
97+ Points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
96 Points, Decanter Magazine
94 Points, Wine Spectator
2019 Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $90
94 Points, James Suckling
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
93 Points, Robert Parker
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Joseph Phelps is important US vineyard for sure. BTW March 1, 1973. I was starting my third year at Melbourne Uni and I was about to launch into wine tourism with a trip latter that year to SA - Barossa and McLaren Vale.