Winery Profile: Rombauer

Rombauer Vineyards is a California powerhouse that has produced legendary and style-dictating wines since its founding in 1980. Despite quickly becoming a giant in the California and global wine world, the winery remains family owned, now encompassing 3 generations of the Rombauer family. The Rombauer family moved from their home in Escondido, California to Napa Valley, to start their family home with two children, two horses, and five dogs, in 1972. Once in Napa Valley, Koerner and Joan Rombauer became active in the wine industry before branching off to launch their own winery with the introduction of Rombauer’s first varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon. Their second varietal, Chardonnay, arrived two years later, in 1982. Both went on the market in 1984 as the first commercially available bottles by Rombauer. Throughout the years, Rombauer has purchased land all throughout Wine Country and has become a steward for the terroir and smaller wineries of the area. Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc joined the winery’s portfolio on the new millennium, and Rombauer continues to honor tradition while finding innovative ways to produce the finest wines they can. The winemakers at Rombauer believe in “doing everything in [their] power to produce the best wines possible”. They continue to do so after almost forty years in business.

Rombauer vineyards places a particular emphasis on sustainability and the interaction of land and community in the wine making process. Many of their vineyards are certified Napa Green/Fish Friendly Farming by the California Land Stewardship Institute. Some key ways they promote sustainability can be found on their website. They include:

• 70% of energy comes from solar power.
• All green waste generated from the vineyards and winery is composted and used as a natural fertilizer, returning essential nutrients to our soils.
• All cardboard, plastic and glass from bottling is recycled
• Double dripper irrigation lines allows water to only be delivered to the sections of vineyards that need it.
• Using natural solutions, like providing nesting boxes for barn owls that prey naturally on vineyard pests such as rodents and gophers.

Rombauer offers tastings in their original Napa Valley location and their new Sierra Foothills tasting room. They offer a variety of different tasting experiences. They strongly encourage reservations. You can find their line of wines here.