A Hidden Gem on Napa Valley's remote Eastern Slopes
Hestan Vineyards is a picturesque estate located on Napa Valley’s remote eastern slopes. The vineyard is named for owners Helen and Stanley Cheng, whose passion for fine wines and love for Napa Valley’s beauty and charm led them to purchase the property - a former cattle ranch - in 1996. They immediately prepared to plant grapes, adding small blocks over the years to take advantage of the site’s myriad of exposure and well-drained soils. In keeping with the Chengs’ commitment to land stewardship, both the vineyard and gardens are sustainably farmed and 100% solar powered.
Hestan Vineyards was born from the culinary passion of Stanley Cheng and his wife, Helen. This husband and wife team has combined innovation and passion to create award winning wines. Stanley pioneered hard-anodized cookware in the 1970s and has continued to improve the ways we cook through innovations and he keeps that innovation going through his wines.
From wine to cookware, the Hestan name is known all over the world.
Behind the Scenes
Our carefully-tended 110 acres are blanketed with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache. We also operate a small Chardonnay vineyard planted at the mouth of the Napa River. Winemakers Jeff Gaffner and Thomas Rivers Brown translate these varietals into award-winning, limited-release wines for the Hestan, Meyer, Stephanie and Vincent Christopher labels.
Thomas Rivers Brown
Thomas Brown is one of Napa Valley’s most exciting and acclaimed winemakers. His uncompromising approach to winemaking has resulted in effusive praise from the wine press, including unprecedented double 100 point scores from the Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker.
In 2009, Brown joined the Hestan Vineyards winemaking team, taking over production of the winery’s critically acclaimed Hestan and Meyer programs.
Jeff Gaffner
Jeff Gaffner began his career at Chateau St. Jean working with legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood to produce the winery’s celebrated 1996 Cinq Cepages, named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. Over the years, Gaffner has developed a reputation as a specialist both in the vineyard and cellar, receiving critical acclaim for his site-expressive winemaking and signature elegant style.
Gaffner was hired in 2004 to launch Stephanie, the winery’s line of Bordeaux-style blends.