The Tournahu Vineyards Story
In 1976, George and Evelyn Tournahu purchased a small 7-acre vineyard just north of St. Helena, Napa Valley.
Originally envisioned as a family retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, the property included a charming home and this special vineyard. The existing vines, planted with Napa Gamay (Valdiguié), produced grapes that the Tournahu family sold to Charles Shaw Winery.
As Napa Valley's reputation flourished in the 1990s, George and Evelyn made a pivotal decision in 1998, guided by the expertise of their son-in-law—a noted and highly respected Master Sommelier, Nunzio Alioto. They replanted their vineyard entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon, a decision that would prove ideal for their unique terroir.
St. Helena's Landscape
The vineyard's exceptional quality stems from St. Helena's unique landscape, nestled between the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the Vaca Range to the east. These mountain ranges created an alluvial fan that spread a perfect mix of gravel, sand, and clay across the valley floor. The two ranges form a natural "hourglass" effect in the St. Helena AVA, functioning as a climate control system that maintains the consistently warm temperatures in which Cabernet Sauvignon thrives.
The property's distinctive character comes from its gravel and river rock soil composition, influenced by the creek running through the land. This terroir imparts a stony, gravelly, savory core to the wines, reminiscent of what you smell and taste from top Bordeaux estates.
Mending Wall Winery
For decades, Tournahu Vineyards supplied their exceptional grapes to prestigious wineries, with Evelyn taking particular pride in their fruit being sought after by renowned winemakers. In 2015, the family began an exciting new chapter, partnering with celebrated winemaker Thomas Brown of Mending Wall Winery, who began sourcing fruit from Tournahu Vineyards for a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 7. Brown recognized the world-class potential of their neighborhood nook, which includes other star vineyards like Gamble, Aida, Panek, and Shibumi Knoll along their little dirt road.
In 2016, with the guidance of Thomas Brown, vineyard manager Josh Clark, and Nunzio Alioto, the family replanted two and one-third acres of Cabernet Sauvignon (Blocks 3 and 4). This replanting incorporated tighter vine spacing, 420A rootstock, and American heritage clones, all carefully selected to optimize the expression of the vineyard's distinctive terroir. It also provided an opportunity to adapt their practices to address climate change and other challenges.
“TOURNAHU wines achieve a harmonious balance, merging the refined elegance of Old World winemaking with the vibrant intensity and rich concentration that California's fruit naturally delivers.”
— Nunzio Alioto, Master Sommelier
Tournahu Wines, St. Helena AVA
In 2024, after years of dedication to cultivating an A+ St. Helena AVA vineyard, the Tournahu family made the bold decision to produce their own wine from Block 3, consisting of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 15. Following Thomas Brown's recommendation, they worked with Rich Frederick, former winemaker at Revana Family Vineyard. They also produced a small batch of Sauvignon Blanc from one-third of an acre, marking Tournahu Vineyards' first venture into winemaking.
Using Nunzio's worldly experience and tasting expertise combined with Rich Frederick's precise technique and deep understanding of terroir expression, Tournahu wines strive for welcomingness, elegance, civility, subtle complexity, grace, and seamlessness with a stony, savory soul.
The Tournahu family proudly anticipates the release of their inaugural 2024 Tournahu B3.15 Cabernet Sauvignon (releasing in 2026) and Sauvignon Blanc, marking an exciting new chapter in their St. Helena legacy.
