Bryant Family Vineyards

Bettina and Donald Bryant founded Bryant Family Vineyards on Pritchard Hill with the express intent of achieving excellence. They wanted to achieve excellent wines from an excellent terroir with a team of excellent individuals. They had certainly picked the right place for it. Pritchard Hill is not an official AVA, and they are considered part of the St. Helena appellation. However, Pritchard Hill in the eastern hills overlooking St Helena is clearly a viticultural space apart. Warm and less foggy than other areas, it is ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Donald Bryant bought 13 acres overlooking Lake Hennessey in 1992, and he had the entire plot planted with nothing but Cabernet Sauvignon.

They certainly also got some talented staff, including winemakers Todd Alexander and Helen Keplinger. David Abreu is the vineyard manager and the wine consultant is the famous Michel Rolland.

The result has been a wine that is famous. Robert Parker awarded their wines 100 points in 1997 and they have been a cult wine ever since. The winery is completely closed to the public, and the only way to get one of their wines is to join their mailing list, which has a waiting list. Once you are on the mailing list, you get email alerts about their allocation of wines in January of each year. You have to buy at least one bottle to stay on the mailing list, and the allocations sell out in 2 to 3 months. They are making a new wine called Bettina, for which they source other varietals from David Abreu’s vineyards to make a fantastic red blend, but mostly they are famous for their pure Cabernets. The flavors are intense and their wines combine silky tannins and lush textures, which is certainly fulfilling the Bryant’s intention to achieve excellence.

Address: 1567 Sage Canyon Rd, St. Helena

Phone:  (707) 963-0483

Tasting Room Hours: Not open to the public