O’Shaughnessy Winery is a small, family-owned winery located in Napa Valley, California. Founded in 2000 by Betty and Paul O’Shaughnessy Woolls, the winery is dedicated to producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, sourcing fruit from three unique vineyards within the Napa Valley that they own.
The winery’s estate vineyard is located on the slopes of Howell Mountain, just northeast of the small town of Angwin. Of the 120 total acres, 29 are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, and another 6 acres are planted with red Bordeaux blending varieties. The vineyard is separated into three distinct blocks: the Amphitheater Vineyard, named for its geographical feature; the Rancho Del Oso, named after a local black bear; and the Osprey’s Nest Vineyard.
In addition to the estate vineyard, O’Shaughnessy also owns the Oakville Vineyard, located in the heart of the Oakville appellation. This 32-acre vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the less common varieties of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The winery also owns two vineyard sites on Mt. Veeder: the 55-acre Betty’s Vineyard and the 265-acre Woolls Ranch, both of which are planted with a variety of Bordeaux red blending varieties.
O’Shaughnessy is also known for its rare plantings of three obscure Bordeaux red varieties: Carménère, Gros Verdot, and St. Macaire. Gros Verdot was banned from the Bordeaux region in 1946 and is known for its peppery flavor, while St. Macaire is so obscure that it is difficult to find vineyard sources for it. Both of these varieties are grown in very small amounts at O’Shaughnessy.
The winery’s wine selection includes a variety of Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends, as well as a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc. All of the wines are made using traditional techniques and are aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels, concrete eggs, and stainless steel tanks.
In addition to their dedication to producing high-quality wines, the O’Shaughnessy Woolls are also strong supporters of the Aldea Foundation, a Napa-based organization focused on improving mental health and providing child welfare and support services. A visit to O’Shaughnessy Winery is a unique and rewarding experience, both for the opportunity to taste exceptional wines and for the opportunity to support a socially conscious and community-minded business.
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Chris Joyce
7 months agoI’m a certified sommelier and winemaker in Napa valley and get many chances to visit lots of wineries. Some are truly big bud tourist traps, and many are wonderful but I prefer the hidden “back lane” wineries of Napa as well as Sonoma valley. Places where buses and limos are prohibited, appointments necessary. These are family places, working farms if you will. You are a guest on private property. And today, visiting O’Shaugnessy winery and vineyards with my Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson was a special treat. Iconic Howell Mountain View’s of vineyards and scarred, rebuilding forests are nice to see, but it’s the hospitality that deserves mention. Working in a beautiful tasting room, is manager Kerry Baxter who has much tasting room experience but has found her niche away from the crowds to deliver an on point tasting experience of truly exceptional wines, and a tour of one of Napa’s most beautiful caves and private cellars. Service at the table by Kerry was the equivalent of a fine dining experience. Her devotion and passion, enlightening. It’s rare I give 5 stars out, but Kerry and the winery and vineyard at O’ Shaughnessy deserve top awards!
Carlo Giove
7 months agoI am very picky in places to visit. This was by far the best vineyard I have been too and I’ve been to many. The tour guide Kerry was awesome she was very outgoing and informative. I highly recommend this spot. It’s not an easy location to find but the wine is top notch.
Lilly K
3 months agoHighly recommend! I don’t normally leave reviews, but my husband and I visited O’Shaughnessy and had the most amazing time with Bob, our host for the tasting. This was one of our top 3 tastings ever (the other two were Pride Mountain Vineyards and Cade if you’re looking for other recs!) The wine was phenomenal, the winery was beautiful, and the experience was PERFECT thanks to Bob. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and funny and we felt like we were hanging out with a close friend the whole time. It was a relaxed tour and tasting and we felt very comfortable asking a lot of questions and discussing the wine (and many other topics) with Bob. He showed us the owner’s very impressive personal wine collection during the tour, poured us generous tastings, and provided us with some great recommendations of what else to do while we were in town. We’re already planning to visit again next time we are in the area! We would be members if we could, but unfortunately we live in a state that doesn’t allow alcohol shipments. They will email you very thorough directions for getting there. It’s a hidden gem so it’s off the beaten path, you will need to use their directions!
Erica Sloter
2 years agoThe best winery we have visited in Napa. Amazing people at this winery and superior wines. Beautiful views and definitely read the directions they send for getting here.
Tracy Boyer Clark
11 months agoWe have visited 20 or so wineries over 4 trips and this one hands down is the best of them all. The drive up the mountain is beautiful, but be sure to use the directions they email! Our wine guide Kerry is absolutely hilarious and extremely knowledgeable. We got to tour their cave and the owners private cellar and enjoyed 7 wines - extra generous! We became club members and can’t wait to enjoy the wines again this fall!