Shafer Vineyards

Shafer Vineyards is a California wine producer whose history is rooted in Napa Valley. The property had been used for grape growing and commercial winemaking since 1880. John Shafer, a Chicago publishing executive, purchased the site in 1972 and planted its hillside estate to Cabernet Sauvignon during the mid-1970s. The winery moved into full-scale winemaking in 1978, producing its first Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery’s identity centers on wines made from its hillside vineyards, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. Its flagship Hillside Select is presented by the winery as the focus of a dedicated visitor experience and an exclusive-access program. The official site also describes a Collectors Experience that features current-release wines, including Hillside Select, and offers private events at the estate. Its releases are sold through allocation and, for some offerings, through limited futures programs. Shafer’s winemaking history is closely associated with John’s son Doug Shafer and winemaker Elias Fernandez. Doug joined the winery in 1983, and Fernandez joined in 1984 as assistant winemaker. The winery credits their work over subsequent decades with shaping Hillside Select and what it describes as the Shafer style: elegance, richness, and balance. Fernandez became winemaker in 1994. The winery also presents sustainability as a long-term part of its identity, describing a 35-year commitment. Shafer remains an active winery and visitor destination. Its current official website promotes wine experiences, private events, member and allocation access, and limited releases. The company was acquired by South Korea’s Shinsegae Group in 2022; the winery’s supplied historical account otherwise emphasizes the Shafer family and its long-running winemaking team.

The site now associated with Shafer Vineyards has a longer history of grape growing and commercial winemaking than the Shafer winery itself. According to the winery’s account, grape growing and commercial wine production on the property date to 1880, during Napa Valley’s early development as a wine region. The account also recalls the continuation of grape growing on the property during Prohibition, when commercial wine production in the United States was essentially outlawed. The modern Shafer chapter began in 1972, when John Shafer, a Chicago publishing executive, purchased the property. He planted the hillside estate to Cabernet Sauvignon during the middle of that decade. In 1978, the operation transitioned to full-scale winemaking and made its first Cabernet Sauvignon. John’s son, Doug Shafer, joined in 1983. Elias Fernandez arrived the following year as assistant winemaker. Over the following decades, the team developed Hillside Select and established the winery’s characteristic approach. Shafer describes that style in terms of elegance, richness, and balance. Fernandez became winemaker in 1994. The winery’s story notes that he was named Food & Wine’s “Winemaker of the Year” in 2002 and was honored at the White House the next year as a leader in the Latino community. In the present day, Hillside Select remains Shafer’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon and is central to its visitor and allocation offerings. The winery’s website features guided tastings, private events, limited releases, and an exclusive-access waitlist. It also describes sustainability as a 35-year commitment. Shafer was acquired by South Korea’s Shinsegae Group in 2022, while its public-facing winery story continues to emphasize its Napa Valley property, family history, and winemaking team.

• 2024

  A limited Hillside Select futures program is offered

• 2022

  Shafer is acquired by Shinsegae Group

• 2002

  Elias Fernandez is named Food & Wine's Winemaker of the Year

• 1994

  Elias Fernandez becomes winemaker

• 1984

  Elias Fernandez joins as assistant winemaker

• 1983

  Doug Shafer joins the winery

• 1978

  Shafer begins full-scale winemaking and makes its first Cabernet Sauvignon

• 1972

  John Shafer purchases the property

• 1880

  Grape growing and commercial winemaking begin on the property

A Napa Valley winery focused on hillside-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, with Hillside Select as its flagship and an emphasis on estate experiences, limited releases, and sustainability.

• Hillside Select

  The winery’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, featured in dedicated tasting experiences and allocation offerings.

• 2024 Hillside Select Futures

  A limited futures offering described on the winery site, with delivery planned for March 2027.

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