The Top 15 Cult Wine Producers in California You Need to Know About

Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
Screaming Eagle is arguably the most famous Napa Valley cult wine producer, with its wines considered the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. Established in 1986 by Jean Phillips, the estate quickly earned a reputation for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The name “Screaming Eagle” evokes the power and prestige of the wine. Their small-production, ultra-premium wines have become an icon in the wine world.

Screaming Eagle Cult Wines:

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  Screaming Eagle 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon – Known for its opulence, balance, and complexity, this wine is one of the most sought-after bottles in the world.

• Screaming Eagle 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon – A rich and intense expression of Napa Valley, showcasing the concentrated fruit and exceptional craftsmanship.

Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
Opus One is a collaboration between two legendary wine producers: Robert Mondavi of California and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux. Founded in 1979, the estate’s goal was to create a Bordeaux-style blend in the heart of Napa Valley. Opus One has since become one of the most iconic wines, blending the best of Napa’s terroir with the traditions of Bordeaux.

Opus One Cult Wines:

• Opus One 2016 – A Bordeaux-inspired blend featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other noble varietals. It's known for its elegance, depth, and structure.
• Opus One 2017– Rich and smooth, this wine offers a beautiful balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity, demonstrating the winery’s consistent excellence.

Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
Harlan Estate is one of Napa Valley's most prestigious wineries, founded by Bill Harlan in 1984. Located on the hillsides of Oakville, it produces some of the most coveted Cabernet Sauvignons in the world. The estate’s wines are known for their complexity, ageability, and ability to express the unique terroir of the region.

Harlan Estate Cult Wines:

• Harlan Estate 2016– A deeply complex Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of dark fruits and earth, perfectly balanced with velvety tannins.
• Harlan Estate 2015 – A rich, powerful wine that showcases the full potential of the estate’s vineyard with layers of dark fruit and minerality.

Location: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Caymus Vineyards, founded by Chuck Wagner in 1972, is best known for its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is located in the Rutherford AVA, one of Napa’s best-known subregions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The Wagner family has established Caymus as a flagship brand that embodies Napa Valley’s rich winemaking heritage.

Caymus Vineyards Cult Wines:

• Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon – An iconic wine that has earned numerous accolades over the years for its bold, smooth profile and rich texture.

• Caymus 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon– A classic Napa Cabernet with flavors of ripe blackberries and a smooth, velvety finish.

Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
Schrader Cellars is a boutique winery that focuses on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the To Kalon Vineyard, one of Napa’s most famous and sought-after locations. Founded by Fred Schrader, Schrader Cellars is known for crafting limited-production wines that are full of intensity and depth.

Schrader Cellars Cult Wines:

• Schrader Cellars 2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon  – A single-vineyard wine that represents the pinnacle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Schrader Cellars 2015 To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – A highly acclaimed wine known for its depth, concentration, and aging potential.

Location: Napa Valley
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars gained worldwide fame when its Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, where it triumphed over some of France’s finest Bordeaux wines. The winery’s legacy is built on producing powerful yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons from the rugged terrain of the Stags Leap District.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cult Wines:

• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2016 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon – A refined Cabernet with complex layers of dark fruit, tobacco, and spice.

• Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2015 Cask 23 – A premium Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is full of richness and depth with a long, smooth finish.

Location: Napa Valley
Hundred Acre is one of Napa Valley’s most exclusive cult wine producers. Founded by winemaker Jayson Woodbridge, the winery is known for producing deeply concentrated, full-bodied wines that reflect the power of the land. Their Cabernet Sauvignons, sourced from single vineyards, are highly sought after by collectors.

Hundred Acre Cult Wines:

• Hundred Acre 2016 Ark Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – A bold, intense wine that embodies the best of Napa Valley, with layers of dark fruit and mocha.

• Hundred Acre 2015 Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon – A rich, opulent wine that is revered for its complexity and ageability.

Location: Napa Valley and Sonoma County
Paul Hobbs is a renowned winemaker and the founder of Paul Hobbs Winery, which produces wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Known for his meticulous approach, Paul Hobbs creates wines that are both elegant and expressive of the unique terroirs from which they come.

Paul Hobbs Cult Wines:

• Paul Hobbs 2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – An exceptional single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon with depth and structure.

• Paul Hobbs 2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – A Pinot Noir with rich fruit and silky tannins that showcase the terroir of Sonoma.

Location: Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley
Colgin Cellars, founded by Ann Colgin, is located on Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley, an area known for its steep slopes and rocky soil. Colgin’s wines are known for their depth, elegance, and the ability to express the complexity of the land.

Colgin Cellars Cult Wines:

• Colgin 2016 Cariad Red Blend – A Bordeaux-style blend that combines power with elegance, showing flavors of dark fruit and a silky finish.

• Colgin 2015 IX Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – A flagship wine that represents the epitome of Napa Valley’s winemaking potential.

Location: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Chateau Montelena is one of Napa Valley’s most historic wineries, gaining worldwide fame in 1976 when its Chardonnay triumphed at the Judgment of Paris. Known for producing both exceptional Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Montelena blends Old World traditions with the distinct terroir of Napa Valley.

Chateau Montelena Cult Wines:

• Chateau Montelena 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – A classic Napa Cabernet that delivers power and balance with flavors of dark fruit and oak.

• Chateau Montelena 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – A rich, structured wine that’s perfect for aging.

Location: Paso Robles, Central Coast
Saxum Vineyards, founded by Justin and Heather Smith in 2002, is known for its small-lot, high-quality red blends. The winery’s focus on Rhône-style varietals, especially Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, has earned it cult status in California’s wine scene.

Saxum Vineyards Cult Wines:

• Saxum 2016 Bone Rock – A blend of Syrah and Grenache, this wine showcases rich dark fruit, spice, and the depth of Paso Robles terroir.

• Saxum 2015 James Berry Vineyard – A powerful, concentrated red blend known for its complexity and long aging potential.

Location: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
Shafer Vineyards is a family-owned winery in the heart of Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District. Known for producing some of Napa’s most elegant Cabernet Sauvignons, Shafer’s wines are both powerful and refined.

Shafer Vineyards Cult Wines:

• Shafer 2016 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon – Known for its rich structure and complexity, this wine is one of the best from Napa Valley.

• Shafer 2015 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon – A classic expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with rich dark fruit and well-integrated tannins.

Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
To Kalon Vineyard Company is dedicated to crafting exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon from the historic To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. The vineyard, known for its superior terroir, is one of the most famous sites in Napa Valley.

To Kalon Vineyard Company Cult Wines:

• To Kalon 2016 Highest Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon – A luxurious wine that showcases the complexity and depth of the To Kalon Vineyard.

• To Kalon 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon – A rich and structured wine, known for its long aging potential.

Location: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Rochioli Vineyards & Winery is one of Sonoma County's top producers, especially known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate has built a reputation for producing wines that showcase the best of the Russian River Valley’s terroir.

Rochioli Vineyards & Winery Cult Wines:

• Rochioli 2016 Estate Pinot Noir – A wine that highlights the nuances of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, with layers of red fruit and earthy undertones.

• Rochioli 2017 Chardonnay – A balanced, rich Chardonnay with crisp acidity and a long finish.

Location: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
Sea Smoke Vineyards is located in the cool-climate region of Santa Rita Hills, known for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery’s focus on small-lot, high-quality wines has made Sea Smoke a cult favorite among Pinot Noir lovers.

Sea Smoke Vineyards Cult Wines:

• Sea Smoke 2016 Southing Pinot Noir – A Pinot Noir with dark fruit, spice, and earthy complexity, showcasing the unique terroir of the Santa Rita Hills.

• Sea Smoke 2017 Ten Pinot Noir – A more concentrated expression of Pinot Noir, known for its depth and rich berry flavors.