Joseph Phelps Vineyards
A pioneering Napa Valley vineyard born from the passion of a man …
Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a Napa Valley winery created in 1973 by Joseph Phelps. Currently, the property has 475 acres of vineyards (192 hectares) of which 100 acres are located on the Sonoma Coast.
From Colorado, Joseph Phelps experienced the world of wine thanks to the parents of his college roommate who made him taste his first bottles of wine. From there was born in him a thirst for discovery, a collection of famous bottles and the beginning of a great passion which led him in 1973 to acquire a property in California. During these tastings he was particularly “impressed” by the wines of Bordeaux, the Rhône and Madeira.
credit: John McJunkin
In 1960 he discovered the Napa Valley thanks to the family business (Hensel Phelps Construction Company) which won a tender to build Souverain Winery. He took the opportunity to discover the wines of the region and fell in love with the Napa Valley. He began to research a domain to create his own vineyard.
In 1973, after several years of research he found a former cattle ranch (Connolly Ranch) surrounded by 600 acres. He acquired this ranch and began a major project to rehabilitate buildings, building a winery (cellars, fermenting room, reception room …) and planting vines. He led for several years with a dual activity with his father’s construction company and with the vineyards of Napa Valley. After five years like this and wanting to dedicate 100% to his passion he decided to sell the family construction business.
There were many potential buyers but he made the choice to sell the company to their employees. Today the company still exists and it’s still named Hensel Phelps Construction Company.
Following this sale he moved to California and worked in the qualitative development of these wines. It was notably the first winemaker to produce a varietally labeled Syrah post-prohibition.
Having regularly expansion opportunities he acquired other land allowing him to extend his planted vineyards to 375 acres.
In 1999, while in recent years in search of a favorable terroir Pinot Noir and Chardonnay he found when hovering plane, an ideal property in Sonoma. Seeing the potential of the terroir of this small area of 100 acres he acquired the property. He then launched into a vineyard restoration policy and planted with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay.
©joseph phelps vineyards
“The search ended when the perfect combination of climate, soil and location was found in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, a mere six miles from the Pacific Ocean.”
After the acquisition and until 2007 the wines of Sonoma vineyards were made in the property of the Napa Valley. Wanting to optimize the work tools he built a winery on the domaine of Sonoma. The construction was carried out by his former family business, even if it is not customary for them to take on this kind of small project, it exceptionally agreed to take on the project.
Despite the death of Joseph Phelps April 15, 2015 at the age of 87 years, the property remains 100% family owned. He was in agreement with the words of Margrit Mondavi, “one of the great pioneer of the Napa Valley … Together with Robert Mondavi and others at the time, they put their hands in the soil and their souls in wine “.
He had four children and eight grandchildren. Among them his son Bill and two of his grandchildren work for the winery. His other children, Leslie, Laurie and Lynn are board members. The property has become famous thanks to the quality of its wines and especially through the Cuvée Insignia. Since a few years the property also produced olive oil.
If you had to describe the property of Joseph Phelps and atmosphere in a few words, what would you say?
©joseph phelps vineyards
“I would say: family, loyalty, excellent, team spirit and respect for people and the land.
There is a strong family spirit here, for example when Walter Schug, the first winemaker in the Winery decided to go to create its own vineyard he was assisted by Joseph Phelps. Today the position of winemaker is occupied by a person (Ashley Hepworth) which began here as a trainee.
Joseph was a very generous and concerned neighbor. He worked hard in the charitable works. For example, he gave much for hospitals, for research on children diseases or for hosting migrants. “(Françoise Larum, Assitant manager)
In your opinion what is the signature of Joseph Phelps Wines?
“These are precise wines, ‘clean’, fresh, balanced and ‘food friendly. “(Françoise Larum, Assitant manager)
For my part I would say that what characterizes the wines of this property is a beautiful matter in mouth. They are well constructed, soft, precise and often with a beautiful acid frame as well as the ‘sharpness/clearness’ palate. Finally these wines are marked by their terroirs.
I especially enjoyed the Insignia Cuvée, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
The anecdote:
The father´s construction company, was not simply a “small” family business. In fact the HPCC (Hensel Phelps Construction Company) is one of the largest building companies in the United State. It has participated in major national projects. Recently Hensel Phelps Construction Company has participated in the reconstruction of the Pentagon (Washington) after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Still for the anecdote ; when Joseph Phelps worked in the family business he was commissioned to destroy a wooden bridge and the reconstruction of a railway bridge near the city Annapolis, CA. At the sight of the over a century old wooden under the charm of this historic bridge. Wishing to keep it, he requested the permission to take it away and to not destroy it but to restore it.
Today this famous path-wooden-iron bridge, dear to his heart, is integrated / presented on his property in Napa Valley.
Thanks to Françoise Larum and the Joseph Phelps Vineyards’team for their hospitality.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
200 Taplin Road, St Helena
CA 94574, USA
+1 800-707-5789
