Nestled at the northern end of St. Helena, the Turley Estate Vineyard occupies deep alluvial soils formed over centuries by Mill Creek and the Napa River. Long before vineyards lined the valley floor, this land was part of the traditional homeland of the Wappo people, who stewarded the region’s oak woodlands and waterways for thousands of years. The estate’s agricultural history stretches back to Napa Valley’s earliest farming era, with some of its olive trees dating to the mid-1800s, a reminder of the diverse agricultural traditions that shaped the valley long before it became synonymous with wine.
Larry Turley purchased the original five-acre property in 1974 and gradually expanded it into the 75-acre estate that serves as the heart of the winery today. Rather than following Napa Valley’s shift toward Cabernet Sauvignon, Turley chose to champion California’s historic vineyard varieties, planting and preserving Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Cinsault, Carignane, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and other heritage grapes. Farmed organically since earning CCOF certification in 1993, the estate reflects a longstanding belief that exceptional wines begin with healthy soils and thoughtful stewardship.
Today, the Turley Estate is both a working vineyard and a testament to preservation. Historic olive groves continue to produce fruit more than 170 years after they were planted, while the surrounding vineyards provide a home for many of California’s most storied grape varieties. Protected by conservation easements held with the Land Trust of Napa County, much of the property will remain agricultural land in perpetuity—ensuring that its vineyards, olive trees, wildlife habitat, and open space endure for generations to come.
