Made ByWinery
Founded by Leslie and Susan Rudd in 1996, Rudd Estate is an organically farmed eastern Oakville estate built around Cabernet-led wines from iron-rich volcanic and alluvial soils. The estate entered a new chapter under St. Supéry ownership in April 2026, with its wines, appointment-only hospitality, and site-focused farming continuing in Oakville.
At a glance
- Price
- $$$$
- Neighborhood
- Oakville
<h2>An Eastern Oakville Estate</h2><p>Rudd Estate was founded by Leslie and Susan Rudd in 1996 with a long-term ambition: develop an Oakville property around the character of its land rather than a house style imposed in the cellar. The estate sits at 500 Oakville Crossroad on the eastern side of the appellation, where volcanic core stone and alluvial sediments create iron-rich, well-drained soils. In April 2026, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery acquired Rudd Estate. St. Supéry, itself owned by Chanel, stated that Rudd's existing estate wines would continue to be produced and sold, making the acquisition a change in stewardship rather than a conversion of the property to a different concept.</p><h2>Farming, Caves, and Winemaking</h2><p>Rudd's Oakville vineyards are farmed organically by a full-time estate team. The planted varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux red grapes used in the estate blend. A second estate on Mount Veeder supplies Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and the fruit for Leslie's Blend. The winery describes its objective as site expression with as little intervention as the fruit allows.</p><p>The estate's cave system was expanded after the Rudd family acquired the property. It now extends to roughly 20,000 square feet, with separate temperature and humidity zones for barrel aging and a wine library. Stone removed during excavation was reused in walls and other structures across the property, connecting the working cellar to the estate's physical landscape.</p><h2>The Wine Portfolio</h2><p>The flagship Rudd Oakville Estate Red brings together mature vines from the property's volcanic and alluvial sections and is composed for longevity. Samantha's Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet-focused selection from Oakville blocks. The Mount Veeder estate contributes Leslie's Blend, Susan's Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Crossroads by Rudd offers Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc from organically and biodynamically farmed Napa Valley vineyards as a more immediately accessible introduction to the house. Natalie Bath became Rudd's winemaker with the 2021 vintage after working at the estate since 2012.</p><h2>Planning a Visit</h2><p>Visits are by appointment only and should be requested directly through Rudd Estate. The experience centers on the working Oakville property, its vineyards, caves, gardens, and current releases rather than a walk-in tasting room. The estate lists 707-944-8577 extension 1 for visit requests and info@ruddwines.com for general and allocation inquiries. Because access is arranged rather than scheduled as public opening hours, guests should confirm the exact format and availability with the estate before building an Oakville itinerary around the visit.</p>
Know before you go
- Dress code
- smart_casual
- Reservations
- appointment_only
- Parking
- on_site_lot
- Outdoor seating
- Yes
Frequently asked
What's the address for Rudd Estate?
Rudd Estate is located at 500 Oakville Cross Rd, Oakville, CA 94562, Oakville.
What awards has Rudd Estate received?
Rudd Estate has received recognition including: Pearl 2 Star Prestige (2025).
What's the best wine to try at Rudd Estate?
The Oakville appellation is defined by Cabernet Sauvignon, and estates holding EP Club Pearl 2 Star Prestige recognition at 500 Oakville Cross Rd are recognised specifically for the depth that Oakville's valley-floor soils produce in that variety. That is where any serious visit should start. Allocation access for top-tier Oakville Cabernet typically requires joining an estate list well in advance.
What's Rudd Estate best at?
Rudd Estate's 2025 EP Club Pearl 2 Star Prestige rating places it among the upper tier of Oakville properties, a designation that reflects both wine quality and the overall estate experience. At this level in Oakville, the defining strength is consistency across growing years on valley-floor Cabernet acreage, which is precisely the ground Rudd Estate occupies on Oakville Cross Road. Visits are appointment-driven, which concentrates access among serious collectors rather than walk-in traffic.
Address
500 Oakville Cross Rd, Oakville, CA 94562
Oakville
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