Winemaker
Charles F. Smith III
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- St. Helena, California, United States
i. Biography
"I followed my brother into the business. It was a hobby that got completely out of control." In wine, that kind of line usually means years of repetition have stripped away the mythmaking. At Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery in St. Helena, Charles F. Smith III works in a style that stays close to the site: dry-farmed estate wines from steep mountainside vineyards, handled as little as possible, with old-world and modern techniques both kept in service of the fruit. The work is measured by slope, soil, weather, and patience more than by display.
Coming Up
The route into wine was not a straight one, and that matters. Before settling into the discipline of cellar work, Charles F. Smith III studied at University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco State University, then held jobs that ranged from Boy Scout camp staff at Emerald Bay on Catalina Island to probation officer, furniture mover, and taxi cab driver in San Francisco. Those roles point to a working life built on practical labor and exposure to different forms of responsibility before wine became the main craft. Since 1973, he has been winemaker of Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery.
Where They Are Now
The cellar program at Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery in St. Helena, United States is built around estate wine and a narrow set of grapes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling make up the core, while Cook’s Flat Reserve sits as the premium Cabernet in that lineup. The point is not breadth; it is control. The style depends on fruit from the estate, restraint in the cellar, and a willingness to let the hillside character stay visible in the finished wine.
Signature
Cook’s Flat Reserve is the named wine most closely associated with Charles's work. Within Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery, it stands as the premium Cabernet in a small, focused range and reflects the estate’s preference for precision over volume.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Charles
Where did Charles F. Smith III train or study?
Charles F. Smith III trained at University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco State University.
What is Charles F. Smith III known for?
dry-farmed estate wines from steep mountainside vineyards.
