Freemark Abbey

Freemark Abbey was established in 1886 by Josephine Tychson, who is recognized as the first woman to build and operate a winery in California. Originally named Tychson Cellars, the property was later sold to Antonio Forni, who renamed it Lombarda Cellars. In 1939, three partners named Charles Freeman, Marquand Foster, and Albert Abbey Ahern purchased the estate and created the current name by combining portions of their own. After a period of closure following the death of Ahern in 1959, a partnership of seven businessmen led by Charles Carpy revived the winery in 1967. This group modernized the facilities and shifted the focus toward varietal wines. Jackson Family Wines acquired the producer in 2006 and continues to manage the estate under its portfolio today.

The winery sources fruit from several Napa Valley locations, with a primary focus on the Rutherford appellation. The Bosché Vineyard is a 22 acre site situated on the Rutherford Bench, where gravelly loam soils provide the drainage necessary for concentrated fruit. Nearby, the Sycamore Vineyard sits at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. This site features clay loam soils and a cooler microclimate that produces wines with different structural profiles compared to those from the valley floor. Director of Winemaking Kristy Melton oversees production, maintaining a style that emphasizes fruit purity and structural balance. The winemaking process involves separate fermentations for each vineyard block and aging in French oak barrels to integrate tannins.

Freemark Abbey achieved international recognition during the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, where it was the only winery to have both a red and a white wine selected for the competition. The 1969 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1972 Chardonnay were featured in this event, which helped establish the global standing of California wine. The estate is widely known for its single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons and its extensive wine library, which is one of the largest in the United States. This library contains vintages dating back several decades, allowing the winery to demonstrate the aging potential of its Rutherford holdings. While Cabernet Sauvignon is the core focus, the winery also produces Chardonnay, Merlot, and a red blend named Josephine to honor its founder.