Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972 after the purchase of the original Souverain Winery on the hillside of Howell Mountain, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020.

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. Today, the legacy of winemaking excellence is upheld by Meghan Zobeck, who joined as winemaker in 2020. Her winemaking background includes international work with Michel Rolland, as well as Screaming Eagle and Atelier Melka in the Napa Valley.

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. Under Zobeck’s leadership, the winery is practicing regenerative, biodynamic and organic farming.