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By: Tim Gaiser, MS, The SOMM Journal August/September 2017
At 1,531 acres, St. Supéry’s Dollarhide Ranch is one of the largest contiguous properties in the Napa Valley appellation. I’ve lived in San Francisco for over 30 years and have been to Napa Valley hundreds of times, but until recently had never been to the ranch. After seeing Dollarhide, I’ve come to believe that its distinct terrain and remarkable biodiversity make it unique in Northern California. There really is no other place like Dollarhide Ranch.
In 1982 Robert Skalli, the founder of St. Supéry, acquired the ranch after an eight year search for vineyard property. The site is located in what was then a largely unknown area in the northeastern mountains of the newly minted Napa Valley AVA. The origins of the ranch date back to the late 1800s, when it was a cattle and horse ranch owned by one Andrew Jackson Dollarhide.
At the time of purchase, there were no vines on the property—just cattle. It was Skalli’s intent from the outset that the ranch, with its rolling hills, seven lakes and wealth of wildlife, would retain its unique environment and not be completely developed to viticulture. Even today, only 500 acres are planted to vines. Emma Swain, St. Supéry CEO, says, “What makes Dollarhide Ranch so special is the fact that it’s remote — so private, peaceful and diverse.” Nothing has changed in that regard — or any other — since luxury brand Chanel purchased the property in October of 2015 …
August 30, 2017