Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery

Stuart Smith founded the winery in 1971 after purchasing a 200-acre ranch on the summit of Spring Mountain. He discovered the site while studying viticulture at the University of California, Davis, identifying old grape stakes that indicated a vineyard had existed there in the 1880s. Stuart and his brother Charles Smith cleared the overgrown forest of Douglas fir and oak to replant the land, leaving many of the property's madrone trees intact. They built the winery facility themselves using stones and lumber harvested directly from the estate. The operation remains family-owned, with the two brothers managing all aspects of production and Stuart's son, Sam, acting as assistant winemaker.

The estate's 34 acres of vineyards are situated at elevations between 1,300 and 2,000 feet on steep slopes with gradients up to 35 percent. The vines grow in well-drained, red volcanic soils known as Aiken loam. The brothers have practiced dry farming for decades, a method that limits yields and produces small berries with concentrated flavors. Varietals are planted according to specific microclimates and exposures, with Riesling placed on eastern slopes for morning sun and Chardonnay on northern slopes for cooler temperatures. The winemaking style is characterized by a commitment to restraint and acidity, utilizing traditional techniques such as barrel fermentation and sur lie aging for the white wines.

The winery is primarily recognized for its Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its international reputation was established in 1979 when the 1977 Riesling won a major competition sponsored by Gault-Millau. Smith-Madrone is often cited for its adherence to a classic, mountain-grown style that contrasts with the riper, more extracted profiles typical of the Napa Valley floor. In addition to the core varietal wines, they produce a limited Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend called Cook's Flat Reserve. Total annual production is small, typically remaining under 4,000 cases, which reinforces the estate's status as a traditional producer within the Spring Mountain District.