In 1888, Anthony Truchard II’s great, great grandfather moved from Lyon, France to the outskirts of Houston, Texas to start a winery. Though his efforts were ultimately stymied by Prohibition, a vision had already begun to take shape for future generations of his family. Anthony says, “My father Tony grew up on that property in Texas and it planted the seed for his own vineyards and winery.”

Tony bought Truchard Vineyards’ first 20 acres in Carneros in the 1970s, before it rose to prominence as a proven wine growing region. Anthony notes, “With the low water table in Carneros, many people didn’t think grapevines would get enough water. We were one of the early adopters of reservoirs for rainwater catchment and drip irrigation. The reservoirs also provide habitat for birds and other animals.” Today, the reservoirs serve a dual purpose of saving water for irrigation and providing valuable wildlife habitat, with cormorants and deer visiting frequently.

Growing up, Anthony and his brother John helped their family plant and maintain the vineyards on weekends, camping in a trailer on site. The family moved to the property full time in 1986. Thirty years later, Tony Truchard still manages the farming. Truchard Vineyards has grown to a 400-acre property with 261 acres planted to vineyard since purchasing their first 20 acres.

Understanding the value of Napa’s native oak woodlands, the family has ensured 100 acres of oaks are preserved on the property, working around them in the vineyard.