Skip to content

United States · California

Chappellet

Chappellet Winery was established on Pritchard Hill above Lake Hennessey in 1967 by Donn and Molly Chappellet, making it one of Napa Valley's oldest continuously family-owned mountain estates. The 152-acre vineyard at elevations of 1,200–1,800 feet produces Cabernet Sauvignon from volcanic-influenced, iron-rich red soils — a terroir now recognised as among Napa's finest. Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate's flagship: a single-vineyard mountain Cabernet of extraordinary concentration, structure, and ageing potential. Across 1,184 auction lots averaging $151 per bottle, Chappellet spans value-oriented estate Chardonnay and Zinfandel to the highly regarded Pritchard Hill Cabernet. The Pritchard Hill label trades at $200–$500 per bottle depending on vintage, with the 2013 and 2016 commanding premiums above $350 after receiving 96–99-point scores. Cabernet Franc is a specialty — Chappellet produces one of Napa Valley's most serious Cabernet Francs, often priced above $100 at retail and $150+ at auction. Zinfandel, from old-vine material, rounds out the portfolio. The estate's founding position on Pritchard Hill — before Bryant Family, Ovid, Colgin, or Continuum established their presence — gives Chappellet unrivalled historical authority for the appellation's most prized mountain corridor. The Chappellet family's fifth generation is now involved in estate operations.

Chappellet, founded in 1967, was the first winery established on Pritchard Hill and predates Bryant Family, Ovid, and Colgin by 25–35 years; the estate's pioneering work on the hill established the site's reputation for mountain Cabernet of exceptional structure.
Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon received 99 points from Wine Advocate for the 2013 vintage — one of California's most acclaimed single-vineyard Cabernet bottlings — and trades above $350 per bottle for top vintages.
The estate's Cabernet Franc, produced from mountain-elevation vineyards at 1,200–1,800 feet, is regarded as one of Napa Valley's most serious single-variety Cabernet Franc expressions and averages above $150 at auction.
At 152 estate acres on Pritchard Hill, Chappellet is significantly larger than most mountain neighbours; this allows greater volume at the estate level while still constraining the Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon to a single-vineyard bottling.

Auction Lots

1,432

Avg Price / Bottle

$208

Top Vintage

2016

Price Range

$16 – $11.4k

In the Glass

Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is Napa mountain Cabernet in its most structured form: intense cassis, dark cherry, graphite, iron, and tobacco from volcanic red soils at elevation. The palate is full-bodied with dense, firm tannins that require 8–15 years to fully resolve. The Cabernet Franc shows Loire-like aromatic lift — green herbs, pencil lead, crushed rock, and dark fruit — unusually linear for California. Zinfandel is old-vine in character: brambly, spiced, and rich with excellent natural acidity.

Portfolio

WineColourAvg PriceLots SoldTop Vintage
Pritchard Hill Cabernet SauvignonRed$2201,2092016
Signature Cabernet SauvignonRed$1981032019
Cabernet FrancRed$125512016
MerlotRed$90201975
Mountain CuveeRed$36132022
MalbecRed$45112013
Hideaway Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonRed$142112017
ZinfandelRed$4382011
CultivationRed$3362007

Top Auction Houses

klwines

747 lots

spectrum

176 lots

hdh

44 lots

acker

11 lots

brentwood

8 lots

Chappellet is based in the California wine region.

Explore California auction data →

Find Live Chappellet Auctions

Search active lots from Sotheby's, Christie's, Acker and 6 more houses.

Search Chappellet wines →