History
Born with a love of fine wine and a pioneering spirit, Clos Du Val founder John Goelet, a descendent of the Guestier wine merchant family of Bordeaux, searched for land in premiere wine growing regions across three continents over forty years ago to inspire a collection of four world-class estate wineries still flourishing today. Clos Du Val is the Napa Valley jewel in the Goelet Family portfolio.
The Goelet family’s original vision to produce world-class wines that express the terroir of the vineyards from which they are crafted remains the underlying essence of Clos Du Val wines and all of the Goelet Wine Estates sister wineries.
Goelet established Clos Du Val in 1972 with 150 acres of vineyards in what is known now as the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Soon after, he acquired 180 acres of prime Carneros hillside vineyards. Clos Du Val’s first release, a 1972 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, was chosen as one of six California Cabernets to compete against French Bordeaux wines at the infamous 1976 Paris Tasting. Ten years later, the same wine won first place in a rematch of the same American and French wines. The 1986 tasting established Clos Du Val’s reputation for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Kristy Melton handcrafts all of our wines to reflect the classic style, finesse and grace Clos Du Val is known for. Wine Enthusiast named Kristy one of wine’s “Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers” in June 2013.
The Three Graces, Splendor, Mirth and Joy have adorned Clos Du Val’s labels since 1972. These mythical daughters of Zeus were said to preside over Olympian banquets and celebrations, spreading good cheer and raising a glass to the prosperity, happiness, health and good fortune of all. May it ever be.