Mayacamas Vineyards

Mayacamas Vineyards is a winery and wine brand in Napa Valley, California. The estate traces its origins to 1889, when John Henry Fisher purchased a remote mountain property, built the winery that the company says it still uses, planted Zinfandel vines, and named the estate Fisher & Sons. The present name dates to 1941, when Jack and Mary Taylor acquired the property and renamed it Mayacamas Vineyards. The estate's history is closely tied to successive owners and caretakers. The Taylors developed winery infrastructure, expanded fermentation and oak-cask capacity, and planted the property’s first Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. In 1968, ownership passed to Bob and Elinor Travers. The current company describes a change of ownership in 2013 as the beginning of a new trajectory, while presenting itself as a steward of the estate’s traditions. The available source material does not identify the current owners by name. Mayacamas makes and sells wines, including seasonal current releases and library vintages. Its stated approach combines traditional techniques with selective use of newer methods. The winery describes its style as beginning with an early harvest to preserve acidity and encourage bright flavors, followed by extended ageing in neutral oak and additional bottle ageing before release. Its membership program offers recurring shipments, access to limited-production and library wines, events, and visits to the estate or its downtown tasting room. The company also offers direct purchase and tasting visits by reservation.

Mayacamas Vineyards traces its origins to 1889, when John Henry Fisher bought a remote mountain property and built a winery from stone gathered on the land. He planted Zinfandel and named the estate Fisher & Sons. The winery’s account says Fisher sold wine by the barrel, transporting casks down mountain trails to the Napa River and onward by barge to San Francisco. The 1906 earthquake and fire brought bankruptcy to Fisher’s San Francisco businesses, and the Mount Veeder estate was sold at auction. Jack and Mary Taylor bought the property in 1941 and renamed it Mayacamas Vineyards. They created the wine label and iconography still used by the brand, and made substantial changes to the vineyards and cellar. During the 1950s, they built a more modern fermentation room and expanded the inventory of large oak casks. Jack Taylor also planted the estate’s first Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The company says that since the 1950s, the vinification of Mayacamas wines has remained remarkably consistent, with a continuing commitment to classical techniques. Ownership transferred to Bob and Elinor Travers in 1968. The company’s history describes Bob Travers as committed to traditional winemaking, drawing on an apprenticeship at Heitz Cellars. In 2013, new ownership began what the company calls a new trajectory for Mayacamas. The present-day winery characterizes its role as stewardship by the latest owners in a lineage of caretakers, combining methods old and new while maintaining its connection to the estate’s traditions. Today, Mayacamas sells current releases seasonally and offers library vintages. Its stated winemaking approach includes early harvesting, extended ageing in neutral oak vessels, and further time in bottle before release. The company offers direct wine purchases, membership allocations, and reservation-based visits to its estate and downtown tasting room.

• 2013

  New ownership begins a new trajectory

• 1968

  Ownership passes to Bob and Elinor Travers

• 1950

  Winery and vineyard development during the 1950s

• 1941

  The Taylors rename the estate

• 1906

  Estate sold after earthquake and fire

• 1889

  John Henry Fisher establishes the estate

A historic Napa Valley winery positioned around age-worthy, classically styled wines, traditional winemaking, and the stewardship of a long-established mountain estate.

• Seasonal current releases

  The winery releases wines seasonally and offers current releases for direct purchase.

• Library vintages

  The winery offers library vintages, including access through its membership program.

• Mayacamas Membership Allocation

  Membership includes two wine shipments at release times each year, with options that vary by tier, as well as access to limited-production and rare library wines.

• Continued use of classical winemaking techniquesOther

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