Winemaker
Dave Guffy
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Napa, California, United States

i. Biography
At a Glance “Making wine in the vineyard” is the frame Dave Guffy gives the work, with each site pushed to maximize flavor. At The Hess Collection in Napa, United States, his 1999 role as Director of Winemaking sits alongside a Mount Veeder focus: estate vineyard blocks selected for fruit that shows what elevation can do in the finished wine. The blend language here leans on Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon for juicy dark fruit, with the site doing as much of the talking as the cellar.
Signature
Dave's signature wines include Celebration Cuvée, 19 Block Mountain Cuvée, Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Hess Select Pinot Noir, and Lion Tamer Red Blend.
In Their Words “The most memorable and special celebrations” set the brief for Celebration Cuvée, with lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec chosen for red fruit, cassis and cedar. The Mount Veeder estate blocks are described as the source of fruit that showcases “the art of winemaking at elevation.”
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Dave
Who is Dave Guffy?
He is a Napa wine professional whose current title is Chief Winemaker.
What is Dave Guffy known for?
He is known for a vineyard-led winemaking approach focused on maximizing flavor at each site.
Where did Dave Guffy train?
Dave Guffy trained at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.







