History

Sullivan Vineyards is a "by appointment only" winery. We kindly ask you to please give us a call at 1.877.BIG-REDS to book your reservations. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Wall Street Journal names Sullivan Vineyards,  "...one of the top five wineries to visit in the Napa Valley."

"Creativity and perfection in all realms of living is what the Sullivans' strive for. We don't stop when we put the brush down, but continue throughout our lives, in winemaking, cooking, in friendships. It creates a mystical essence. That's what we are about."

-Jim Sullivan

They Came With a Vision: To Meld Art and Wine

Arriving in the Napa Valley in 1972, Jim and JoAnna Sullivan purchased property in Rutherford, which sits in the heart of the Napa Valley. They came with a vision: to meld art and wine, specifically wines that reflect the beautiful and unique terroir. Jim Sullivan, a graphic designer, had formerly worked on projects for the Monkees and other 60's rockbands, Dick Clark Productions, and Clymer Books. Jim used his artistic skills as a graphic designer to create a label for Sullivan Vineyards and his innate talent to create a home for his family and make exceptional wine. The Sullivan home and winery were designed by renowned architect John Marsh Davis, designer of such reputed wineries as Rutherford Hill, Joseph Phelps, and Chateau Souverain.

The Terroir of the Rutherford Bench

One cannot make world-class wines without the right terroir. The Sullivan's concept of terroir has three requirements: location, farming techniques and winemaking style. Location means well drained soils and climate. Rutherford's soil and climate are perfect for what we do.  Farming techniques include organic and biodynamic practices.  Sullivan Vineyards will be certified organic (CCOF) in the spring 2010.  Biodynamic practices include taking into consideration the natural forces such as the moon's cycles in planting, pruning and harvesting to name a few.  The practices also include tea preps of manure, horsetail, Yarrow and others to stimulate the vines and soils to produce better flavors and to use the natural forces for better health of the vine.  We are in the process of being certificed, Biodynamic.  For Sullivan Vineyards, winemaking is about power and finese.  Power is the structure of the wine and finese is the texture, smooth and silkly.  The combinations of these two make a wine that can be both drunk now and aged over time.  This the legacy of the next generation.

Wine Became Their Art

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."

A Sense of Family

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.

The Winemaker

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.