Made ByWinery
Dunn Vineyards is a three-generation Howell Mountain producer founded by Randy and Lori Dunn, whose first Cabernet Sauvignon was made in 1979. Its 42 estate acres, high-elevation vineyards, long barrel aging, and restrained approach have made Dunn a reference point for structured, age-worthy Napa Cabernet.
At a glance
- Price
- $$$$
- Neighborhood
- Angwin
<h2>A Howell Mountain Reference Point</h2><p>Randy and Lori Dunn purchased 14 acres on Howell Mountain in 1978, including five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted at roughly 2,000 feet. The first vintage, 1979 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, amounted to 660 cases and established the estate before Howell Mountain became an American Viticultural Area. Randy Dunn and neighboring growers helped define the AVA in 1983, with its lower boundary set at 1,400 feet above the valley fog line.</p><p>Dunn now owns and farms 42 acres between approximately 1,800 and 2,100 feet. The vineyards have predominantly eastern exposures and low-vigor mountain soils, producing small, thick-skinned Cabernet Sauvignon berries with pronounced structure. Named parcels include Alta Tierra, Frank, Eagle Summit, Park Muscatine, Below House, Coyote, Creek, and Lake, each with its own planting and replanting history.</p><h2>Cabernet Made the Dunn Way</h2><p>The core portfolio remains unusually focused: Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, both made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for 32 months in French oak. The Napa bottling, introduced in 1982, provides a broader valley expression, while the Howell Mountain wine is built around the concentration, tannin, and mineral character of the estate's elevated sites.</p><p>The winery's 6,000 square feet of caves were excavated in 1989 and maintain cool, highly humid conditions that reduce water loss during the extended barrel-aging period. The barrel program has evolved from a single cooperage to lots aged separately across multiple coopers, with racking every six months. Ted Kizor took over cellar duties in 2020 and has served as Dunn Vineyards' official winemaker since 2023, working within the style established by the Dunn family.</p><h2>Regenerative Farming and Family Continuity</h2><p>Dunn began using organic practices for pest and disease management in 2016 and is now focused on regenerative agriculture and vineyard biodiversity. Alex Dunn leads that transition as resident farmer, while the broader family and long-tenured vineyard team continue to operate the estate. The winery has also supported Napa Land Trust conservation work, reflecting the tension Howell Mountain producers face between vineyard development and preserving surrounding forest habitat.</p><h2>Planning a Visit</h2><p>Dunn offers private visits to its working winery near Angwin by advance request. The experience can include the vineyards, caves, and a tasting of multiple Cabernet vintages. Appointments are offered Monday through Friday at $125 per person, must be requested more than three business days ahead, and are limited to groups of six unless the winery agrees otherwise. Walk-ins are not accepted. The official contact is 707-965-3642 and outreach@dunnvineyards.com.</p>
Know before you go
- Dress code
- casual
- Reservations
- appointment_only
- Parking
- on_site_lot
- Payment
- credit_card
Frequently asked
What kind of setting is Dunn Vineyards?
Dunn Vineyards sits in the Angwin area of Napa County, in the hills that form the Howell Mountain AVA above the valley floor. Elevations in this appellation range from 1,400 to 2,200 feet, placing the property above the seasonal fog line that defines the broader Napa Valley floor. It is a working estate focused on small-production Cabernet rather than a hospitality-forward tasting room.
What awards has Dunn Vineyards received?
Dunn Vineyards has received recognition including: Pearl 4 Star Prestige (2025).
What do visitors recommend trying at Dunn Vineyards?
Dunn Vineyards is known specifically for its Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine whose structure and aging potential reflect the volcanic soils and elevation of this AVA. The house approach under winemakers Mike and Kara Dunn has consistently prioritized restraint and longevity over immediate accessibility, which the 2025 Pearl 4 Star Prestige rating reinforces as a consistency credential across vintages.
Where is Dunn Vineyards in Howell Mountain (Angwin area)?
Dunn Vineyards is located at Napa County, Angwin, CA 94508, Howell Mountain (Angwin area).
What should I know about Dunn Vineyards before I go?
Dunn Vineyards is a small, estate-focused producer on Howell Mountain, not a large commercial winery with walk-in tasting facilities. Contact should be arranged in advance given the production scale and location in the hills above Angwin. The estate holds a Pearl 4 Star Prestige rating for 2025, which positions it within the serious collector tier of Napa producers rather than the tourist-circuit category.
Do they take walk-ins at Dunn Vineyards?
Dunn Vineyards is a small estate operation in the Angwin hills, and access is not structured around drop-in visits. Given the production scale and the winery's positioning within the Howell Mountain comparable set, any visit should be arranged directly with the estate in advance.
Address
Napa County, Angwin, CA 94508
Angwin · Napa Valley
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