From the Silverado Trail, in the heart of the Stags Leap District, Ilsley Vineyards climbs east into the Vaca Mountains. Originally planted by the Downey family prior to 1900, the Estate vineyard now consists of 17 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 acres of Malbec, 2 acres of Sangiovese and 1 acre of Petite Verdot.

The thin rocky hillside soils and southwestern exposure produce balanced fruit with structure, concentration and complexity. Malbec, Petite Verdot and 10 unique blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, each planted to different combinations of clone and rootstock, allow us to select only the finest lots for our limited production Ilsley Vineyards Wines. The remaining grapes, normally more than 80% of the Estate’s production, are sold to local wineries. Since 1966, our family has sold grapes to Robert Mondovi Winery. Today the list also includes Shafer Vineyards, Benessere Vineyards, and Salvestrin Winery.

The grapes we grow and the wines they produce exhibit the experience of three generations of our family farming this special vineyard.