History
Our Story
A gem in the heart of Stags Leap District, Silverado Vineyards has embarked on its fourth decade of crafting estate-grown, produced, and bottled luxury wines.
Silverado Vineyard was one of the first four wineries in the Stags Leap District to plant Cabernet in the 1960s. With over 300 acres planted to vine, Silverado Vineyards spans some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated AVAs, including Miller Ranch in Yountville, Mt. George in Coombsville, and Soda Creek/Borreo Ranch within Napa Valley.
Today, under the ownership of Bill and Carol Foley and leadership of Courtney Foley, Silverado Vineyards continues to honor the founders’ legacy and vision to create the best wines possible from the beautiful Silverado Vineyards.
Founders
In 1981, Ron and Diane Miller and her mother, Lillian Disney, established Silverado Vineyards to make wines from the historic sites of their estate. For years, they had sold their fruit to neighboring wineries who were building global reputations for excellence. It was time, they decided, to create their own wines, their own expressions of the Napa Valley they loved and admired.
The winery takes its name from the historic vineyard which surrounds it. The vineyard borrowed its name from the abandoned mining town at the top of the Napa Valley. Here, over a century ago Robert Louis Stevenson stayed and wrote, “The beginning of vine planting is like the beginning of mining for precious metals: the winegrower also ‘prospects’.”
Foley Family Wines purchased Silverado Vineyards in June 2022 with a desire to continue the time honored traditions of the Miller Family.
*Photo courtesy of Napa Valley Register, 1981
Milestones
1976 to 1980
In 1976, the Millers purchased 105 acres in Yountville. Now named Miller Ranch, it is the source of Silverado Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc and Limited Late Harvest Sémillon.
Later in 1978, they purchased 226 acres in the now-celebrated Stags Leap District. The Silverado Vineyard is one of the first planted in the appellation, it’s the source of the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and SOLO.
1981 to 1986
On a knoll overlooking Silverado Vineyard, the Millers completed the winery in 1981. The inaugural crush was 135 tons under the first winemaker, Jack Stuart.
In 1986, the Millers decided to highlight the extraordinary harvest with a unique bottling of the first vintage of Limited Cabernet Sauvignon. This began the winery’s tradition of honoring only exceptional vintages with “The Limited” designation.
1987 to 1989
In 1987, all of Silverado Vineyards entries won gold at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and Jack Stuart was named Winemaker of the Year. Silverado was also named American Winery of the Year in the Grand National Wine Competition.
In 1988, the Millers purchased the Firetree Vineyard, a source of the Estate Chardonnay. The Millers also purchased and planted the northern acreage of the historic Cedar Knoll Vineyard.
1990 to 1994
In 1990, Jon Emmerich joined Jack Stuart as a winemaker at Silverado Vineyards.
In 1992, the Millers purchased the Soda Creek Ranch vineyard on the east side of Napa Valley. This included the site of the historic winery built in 1888 by Felix Borreo, a pioneering winemaker and olive oil producer. Sixteen acres of vineyards were planted among the remaining blocks of the century-old olive orchard.
1995 to 1999
In 1999, the University of California, Davis granted the Silverado Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage status FPS #30. It is one of only three Cabernet Sauvignons to achieve this distinction and the only one from the Stags Leap District.
2000 to 2004
At the start of the new century, The Millers purchased the Vineburg Vineyard. It’s a source of the Estate Chardonnay and Single Vineyard Vineburg Chardonnay.
In 2002, Silverado Vineyards made the first vintage of SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon. SOLO is crafted exclusively from Silverado’s Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon clone. Wine Enthusiast described its debut as “a perfect expression of the Stags Leap District.”
2005 to 2007
Working with Fish Friendly Farming, in 2005, Silverado Vineyards began restoring creek beds and Napa river banks to native California flora on the Miller Ranch and the Silverado Vineyard.
In 2006, Silverado Vineyards celebrated its Silver anniversary and debuted a new label designed by Annabelle Miller, the eldest granddaughter of Ron and Diane Miller.
Wanting to reduce our winery’s energy use, in 2007, Silverado Vineyards installed 225 kw solar power panels and transitioned vineyard vehicles to hybrid engines technology.
2008 to 2015
In 2012, Silverado Vineyards released the first vintage of GEO Cabernet Sauvignon. Greek for “Earth” and short for “George”, GEO is a liquid expression of the storied Mt George Vineyard in the Coombsville nested AVA.
In 2014, our wines in the export market reached 25 countries worldwide.
2016 to 2020
Wine & Spirits Magazine named Silverado Vineyards one of the Top 100 Wineries of 2017.
Beginning in 2019, the 3rd and 4th generations honor Lillian, Diane, and Ron by carrying the family legacy forward.
Silverado wines also received more than 40, 90+ scores from critics.
2021 to Present
Silverado celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2021. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of our flagship Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, SOLO, and the 10th anniversary of of our Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, GEO.
In July 2022, Silverado Vineyards joined the Foley Family Wines portfolio. Bill Foley, his wife Carol and daughter Courtney will continue the vision and legacy of the Miller family and propel Silverado’s estate grown wines and exceptional hospitality center into the future.
In August 2022, Alison Rodriguez joins Silverado as the third winemaker in Silverado’s history.