Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family this year. Burgess Cellars was purchased in 1972 from Lee Stewart of the original Souverain Winery and which was located on the hillsides of Howell Mountain.

The historic site drew some of Napa Valley’s leading winemakers to Souverain, including Mike Grgich–of Grgich Hills Estate–and Warren Winiarski, who went on to triumph in the Judgement of Paris with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

The winery has a long-standing reputation for producing top Cabernet Sauvignon wines from its 11-hectare vineyard (27 acres) on Howell Mountain, which includes 30-year-old vines. Since its inception, Cabernet Sauvignon has been the flagship variety, though the brand has since expanded its portfolio to include Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Chardonnay wines.