Old Kraft

Description: Franz “Frank” Kraft was an early winemaking pioneer who established his vineyard and winery just north of the town of St. Helena in the 1860’s. When we first saw these ancient vines and their proximity to the old Kraft winery site (today’s iconic Spottswoode) we knew they must have been once connected. Sure enough, Bill and Margie Hart who are the proprietors of this small historic vineyard researched it and found the original vineyard was replanted in the 1880s. With the aid of Bill Pease of Madrigal Vineyard Management and Bob Biale a historic vineyard preservation project rarely seen in Napa Valley, or anywhere, was set into motion. Laying drainage, irrigation, tilling, pruning, fertilizing, and interplanting have today brought the old site back to productive life. Now interplanted with some young vines yet retaining its original makeup the vineyard since 2006 is producing small quantities of beautiful grapes. Part of the vineyard is rare old Petite Sirah.