Randy and Lori Dunn first bought land on Howell Mountain in 1978, starting with a 14-acre parcel in Angwin with 5 acres of Cabernet vines on it. Randy was working full time as a winemaker in Rutherford, so farming their property happened on weekends and evenings with their son, Mike. By 1981, they were a bonded winery, and then in 1984, Howell Mountain was approved as a sub-AVA of Napa Valley. In 1985, Randy left his job in the valley to dedicate himself full-time to Dunn Vineyards.

Mike came back part time in 1999, and then was back full time by 2002. Mike’s sister, Kristina, came on full time in 2005, making Dunn an official multi-generational family winery.

Now they farm 42 acres spread over 5 distinct vineyard sites. They feel this is a manageable amount, but that any more would not allow them to do all the farming and winemaking themselves.

Howell Mountain is special because it is located above 1400 feet in elevation. They see more sunshine being above the fog layer, but their heat tends to be more moderate. Spring starts later, and both spring and winter are cooler than the valley floor. Frost is of course always a concern, and yet wet vintages are less devastating for them than they are on the valley floor. Average yields are very low at around 2 tons an acre.

Conservation is a top priority for the Dunns. Randy and Lori first got involved in 2004 when they gifted the development rights for their Sentinel Hill property to the Napa Land Trust. The property is 64 acres of forested hillside overlooking the town of Angwin, up on Howell Mountain. They also have given the largest donation in the history of the Land Trust to help purchase the Wildlake Ranch - a 3000-acre property up on the mountain. They feel a sense of urgency in the Napa Valley to preserve the natural landscape. The influx of big money coming into the area puts tremendous pressure on the wild lands above the valley floor, and there is a constant tension between preservation and projects to clear land and plant vineyards.

The Howell Mountain Vineyards

Alta Tierra Vineyard (Formerly the "Trailer Vineyard")
This was the original vineyard purchased in 1978 by Randy and Lori. After the 2013 vintage, they tore out the old vineyard and began the replant. In 2016 they grafted Cabernet Sauvignon onto the rootstock and renamed the vineyard "Alta Tierra".

Frank Vineyard
In 1979, Henry Frank entrusted Randy with managing this vineyard and they have been taking care of it ever since. Though Dunn does not own this vineyard, it feels very much like part of their land. Originally planted in 1965, Randy replanted the first block in 1989 and the second in 1993. This was followed by another replant of the first block again in 2018.

Eagle Summit Vineyard
Dunn Vineyards purchased this property in the Spring of 2018. It was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000 on two different rootstock and clonal selections. Situated at an elevation of 2100 feet it rests right in between the Alta Tierra and Frank vineyards.

Lake Vineyard
This vineyard is located directly adjacent to the winery and Randy and Lori’s home. For the first 20 years, they grew hay here to feed the horses. The 8 acres primarily consists of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in three blocks (2001, 2002, and 2003).

Park Muscatine Vineyard
Dunn purchased this vineyard in 1991. It is comprised of 5 distinct blocks. We immediately replanted "Cuervo", followed by "JK" (1993) and "Below House" (1998). "Coyote" is the former home of the "Old Petite" block, but was replanted Cabernet in 2016. Production from the little “Creek” block has starting to slow and will be replanted soon.

The Wines

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The Napa Valley wines are a blend of their Howell Mountain fruit and a small quantity of valley floor fruit that they purchase from growers who they respect and trust. This valley floor fruit contributes to the wine’s earlier approachability and softer tannic structure. Aged for 32 months in 100% new French oak.

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
This signature wine contains only fruit farmed by them in their vineyards on Howell Mountain. It is aged for 32 months in 100% new French oak.