Our History

One cannot make world-class wines without the right terroir. The Sullivan's concept of terroir has three requirements: location, dry farming and winemaking style. Location means well drained soils, climate, and a sufficient water scource below the ground surface. Dry-farming: meaning to using mother nature for the above ground irrigation, which lends to stressing the vines and in-turn will influence the grapes character. For Sullivan Vineyards, winemaking is using the love of the land and creating exceptional quality wine. The combinations of all three of these elements are cause and effect for the quaility of fruit used in the heart of Sullivan winemaking.

Jim Sullivan did not come to the Napa Valley lightly, inspired by the Cabernets of the 50's and 60's from the great houses in the area (BV and Inglenook), he researched many areas in California, before finding on our current location on Galleron Rd.

The Sullivan's first vintage BIG RED came in 1981. With each succesive year, the wines gained more acclaim and recognition. In 1994, The Wine Spectator cited Sullivan Vineyards as one of the top 50 wineries in the world. Two years later, Robert Parker published a review of the 1984 Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Napa Valley. Sullivan Vineyards' 1984 Cabernet Sauvignon had the highest rating score of 95 points. Quoting Parker... "Sullivan's 1984 is a blockbuster, fabulously rich Cabernet Sauvignon with huge, cedary, chocolately, and cassis flavors that are so thick and chewy that they appear capable of crawling up the inside of the glass and leaping out."

The Sullivan family enjoys hosting guests and visitors that are looking to venture through the Napa Valley for wines that are hand-crafted for true enjoyment and appreciation. Jim and JoAnna Sullivan's vision to meld wine and art in harmony has become a realization come true.

In a September 3rd, 1999, article of The Wall Street Journal, Sullivan Vineyards was named one of the top five wineries to visit in the Napa Valley.

The Second Generation & Present

Sean Sullivan is the oldest son of the multi-talented Sullivan Family. As General Manager for Sullivan Vineyards, he oversees all operatons in the vineyard and in the winery as well as marketing and business development.

In 2001, Sullivan Vineyards began their collaboration with current winemaker, Philippe Langner. Trained by two of Bordeaux's most respected winemakers, Michel Rolland and Jacques Boissenot, Mr. Langner has brought extensive knowledge of both viticulture and winemaking operations. Sean Sullivan and Philippe Langner and other family members enjoy collaborating in making Sullivan's world-class wines. The family looks forward with enthusiasm to this continued collaboration.

Philippe’s professional history includes four years at Chateau Clarke, a Rothschild family property in Bordeaux. In addition, he spent three months at Fredericksburg, a Rupert and Rothschild joint venture in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy as well as dual Master’s of Science degrees in Agronomy and Agricultural Economics, both from the University of California at Davis.