Region of production: Napa Valley AVA
Winery Location: Yountville
Year Established: 1982

Vineyard Holdings

  • Napanook Vineyard: 42 ha

Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages

  • Dominus (80-95% Cabernet), 1983
  • Napanook (70-95% Cabernet), 1996

Average Total Production

  • 90,000 – 144,000 bottles

Summary

Christian Moueix, president of Bordeaux négociant Jean-Pierre Moueix and owner of several Right Bank Bordeaux properties (including Trotanoy and La Fleur-Pétrus), formed a partnership with Robin Lail and Marcia Smith to purchase Napa’s historic Napanook Vineyard in 1982. The new estate, Dominus, released its first vintage of a Bordeaux-style, Cabernet-based blend in 1983. Moueix became the sole proprietor of the property in 1995, and in 1996 introduced a second wine, the Napanook blend. The estate is dry-farmed, and planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Style & Vinification Techniques

Dominus is an elegant wine, and rarely spends more than 1.5 years in barrel. Traditionally, the winery has used 40% new French oak for Dominus, and 20% new oak for Napanook. Dominus is released after 2 years.

Producer Website: Dominus Estate