United States · California

The Hess Collection

The Hess Collection is a Mount Veeder estate winery founded in 1986 by Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess on the site of the former Mont La Salle winery, integrating a significant modern art collection into the visitor experience. The estate vineyards on Mount Veeder's volcanic soils produce Cabernet Sauvignon of notable structure and minerality, distinct from the more opulent valley floor style. At auction, 138 lots have traded at an average of $109, ranging from $10 to $738. Standard Cabernet Sauvignon leads at 39 lots averaging $60; Reserve Cabernet averages $79 across 31 lots; the flagship Lion Cabernet — from the estate's oldest and most site-expressive Mount Veeder blocks — averages $255 across 17 lots. The Lion is produced in small quantities with Wine Advocate awards in the 94-98 range for top vintages. The $738 ceiling reflects magnums or highly scored Lion vintages.

Lion Cabernet Sauvignon, from the estate's oldest Mount Veeder blocks, averages $255 at auction across 17 lots and has scored 94-98 points in top vintages from Wine Advocate.

Mount Veeder volcanic soils produce structurally distinct Cabernet from valley floor Napa — firmer tannins, higher acidity, and minerality that give the estate wines exceptional aging potential.

138 lots span from standard Cab at $60 average to Lion at $255, creating a clear quality and price tier within a single estate.

The $738 ceiling reflects large-format Lion Cabernet or magnums from benchmark Mount Veeder vintages; the standard tier at $10 minimum captures mixed-lot or condition-challenged bottles.

Auction Lots

266

Avg Price / Bottle

$41

Top Vintage

2017

Price Range

$2 – $140

In the Glass

Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon: dark berry, graphite, iron mineral, dried herb, and cedar with the firm, concentrated structure characteristic of high-elevation Napa volcanic soils. Reserve and standard tiers are more approachable with generous dark fruit and vanilla oak; Lion Cabernet shows greater depth, density, and tannic architecture. All Hess Mount Veeder Cabs benefit from 10+ years of cellaring, developing complexity and softening the volcanic tannins.

Portfolio

Wine	Colour	Avg Price	Lots Sold	Top Vintage
Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$37	75	1992
Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$39	64	1997
Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$29	55	2017
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$42	37	1986
Lion Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$105	20	2018
Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$27	9	2016
Select Cabernet Sauvignon	Red	$17	6	2016

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The Hess Collection is based in the California wine region.

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