Initially, the Davies planted their estate vineyards to the traditional, méthode champenoise grape varieties. Over time, it became apparent that this land was better suited to the cultivation of red Bordeaux varietals, while the depth and character the Davies sought in sparkling wines called for sourcing from a palette of cool-climate vineyards in Carneros, Anderson Valley and the Sonoma and Marin coastal areas.
The first vines on what is now the J. Davies Schram Vineyard were planted in 1862 by Jacob Schram and, at the time, comprised Napa Valley’s first hillside vineyard. This, and the J. Davies’ McEachran Vineyard (first planted in 1878), total 43 acres and are now the southernmost vineyards in the Diamond Mountain District AVA. Flanked by two cool creek canyons — Nash Creek to the north and Ritchie Creek to the south — and surrounded by dense coniferous and deciduous forests, the vines here produce late-ripening, richly concentrated fruit with average yields of just two tons per acre.
The slopes making up the Schramsberg Vineyards property were the site of the first hillside vineyards within Napa Valley. Originally planted by Jacob Schram in the mid-late 1800s, the vineyards were abandoned when the property was sold in 1912. In 1965, when Schramsberg was revived by the Davies family, they planted the estate vineyards to the classic “méthode traditionelle” grape varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Over time, as better cool-climate sites became available for sparkling wine production, it became apparent that the Schramsberg land was better suited to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon and other red Bordeaux varietals.
In 1994, the careful replanting of the Schramsberg/J. Davies Estate vineyards began. The vineyards now total 41 acres and are laid out in three distinct pockets that range from approximately 500 to 1,000 feet in elevation. These include the original two Jacob Schram vineyard sections and the adjacent McEachran parcel, which was first planted by Colin McEachran in 1878. These vineyards are the southernmost in the Diamond Mountain District AVA and are flanked by two cool creek canyons (Nash Creek to the north and Ritchie Creek to the south). The vineyards are surrounded by dense coniferous and deciduous forests, and the vines produce late-ripening, richly concentrated fruit with average yields of just two tons per acre.
DAVIES VINEYARD SITES
In 2009, the Davies started producing their first non-estate red wines under the Davies Vineyards brand. These first bottlings were harvested from Pinot Noir sites that were sought out for their uniqueness and reputation for first-class grapes.
The family’s experience with Pinot Noir dates back to 1967, when Jack and Jamie Davies first used this elegant red varietal to make their inaugural vintage of Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine. Over the decades following that first use, Schramsberg’s winemakers have built long-lasting relationships with some of the best Pinot Noir growers in the North Coast. It is from these relationships that we are able to source grapes for our single vineyard and appellation designated Pinot Noirs. Today, Davies Vineyards produces a selection of Pinot Noir wines, including vineyard designated bottlings from Ferrington Vineyards, Londer Vineyard, Nobles Vineyard and Hyde Vineyards.
With the popularity of the Pinot Noir project growing, in 2012 the winemaking team broadened their scope once again. They searched out new Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon sites for the production of additional still wines. Outstanding sites were found, and new vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignons were added to the Davies Vineyards line. Each vineyard site provides the winemaking team unique flavor characteristics from the varietal, allowing them the opportunity to produce a wine that is strikingly different than the J. Davies Estate wine, while still delicious and singular to the vineyard from which it came. With the 2012 vintage, the family produced their first Davies Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignons, highlighting Napa Valley vineyards throughout the diverse Napa County. Since this new program began, Davies Vineyards has produced delicious single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from Winfield Vineyards, Red Cap Vineyard and Round Pond Vineyards.
When Jack and Jamie Davies purchased the property that once belonged to Jacob Schram they had a choice. In fact, they had a lot of choices. They could tear down the old house and build something modern, they could clear more of the trees to make room for additional vineyards, or they could fashion a state-of-the-art winery facility.
From the beginning Jack and Jamie chose to preserve what was already there. They retained the name of Schramsberg Vineyards to honor its founder. They restored the ancient homestead and raised their family in the house that Schram built. They kept the original barn and made their wine in the crumbling old cellar, utilizing the underground caves that were dug in the late 1800s for bottle aging. Of the nearly 200 acres, they retained 155 of forested land, using only 43 acres for vineyards. Eventually, a newer winery was built to supplement the old one, and great care was taken to utilize the original cellars and honor the charm of its historical design. At Schramsberg, preservation has always been an integral part of the plan. In 1957, Schramsberg was named a California state historical landmark and in 1998 was added to the National Register of Historical Places.
Schramsberg has also been recognized and awarded for the efforts taken to preserve the house and other historical buildings on the property.
In 1967 Jack Davies served as chairman of a citizen committee formed to support the creation of the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve. His tireless efforts to support agricultural land preservation helped shape the heart of Napa’s wine industry. To carry on his legacy, the Davies family established the Jack L. Davies Fund in order to advance his work. The fund underwrites research and education towards the preservation and sustainability of agricultural lands for years to come. To support this effort, Schramsberg Querencia Rosé was created, with a portion of the proceeds from its sales benefiting the JLD Fund.
Today, Hugh Davies and the current Schramsberg team continue the tradition adopted by Jack & Jamie, taking it a step further with a solid set of practices and policies that ensures conservation and stewardship of the land. Currently, Schramsberg follows a rigorous schedule of environmentally friendly practices, including:
- Installation of a 466,806 kilowatt-hours solar array, consisting of 1,655 panels that cover 3/4 of an acre of land, and producing enough energy to eliminate the emission of 466,806 pounds of CO2 annually, offsetting the amount of CO2 absorbed by 700 acres of trees or produced by powering 2,981 100-watt incandescent light bulbs. See our current solar monitor statistics
- Napa Green Certified Land, J. Davies Estate Vineyards
- Fish Friendly Farming
- Vineyards owned and under contract include nine that are full organic operations, three are biodynamic, seven are Fish Friendly Farming certified, four are California Sustainable Alliance certified, and six are Sonoma Sustainable certified.
- Since 2005, Juster Vineyard in Anderson Valley is operating under full organic operations
- Voluntary adoption of no-till farming practices since 1993
- Strict adherence to Napa Co. hillside ordinances
- Incorporation of Sustainable Ag and Integrated Pest Management
techniques
- Utilization of only organic or naturally derived fertilizers
- Composted grape material is used as fertilizer to increase water efficiency and help build soil structure
- Maximum efficiency of water applications and utilization of techniques to minimize water waste
- Commitment to the preservation of the 155 acres of forest surrounding the Diamond Mountain Estate
- The Schramsberg team was on the initial advisory board/panel to implement the Napa Green Winery Certification Program
- We have eliminated the use of bleach and related chlorine compounds throughout the winery
- In early 1980, we established a strict recycling program concerning glass, metals, plastic, cardboard, paper, wooden pallets and other material generated throughout the production process
- To conserve energy, we have incorporated efficient lighting in all winery work spaces and store a majority of our wine in underground caves instead of temperature controlled warehouse buildings.