WINERY SUMMARY

Where Napa Valley's oldest surviving Cabernet Sauvignon vines meet uncompromising perfectionism, Scarecrow stands as one of California's most coveted and exclusive wine estates. This legendary Rutherford property produces fewer than 600 cases annually from 25 acres of irreplaceable 1945 plantings, making each bottle a piece of living viticultural history.

The Scarecrow story begins with Hollywood producer J.J. Cohn, who planted these historic vines on the advice of Inglenook's John Daniel Jr. When phylloxera devastated Napa Valley in the 1980s, these vines survived thanks to their unique St. George rootstock, becoming some of the oldest producing Cabernet Sauvignon in California. Today, Bret Lopez and his family continue this legacy with fanatical attention to detail, employing renowned winemaker Celia Welch to craft wines that command cult status among collectors worldwide.

Scarecrow produces a single wine: their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, consistently rated among California's finest with perfect scores from major critics. Welch's meticulous approach includes hand-harvesting, native yeast fermentation, and aging in 100% new French oak. The wine showcases the distinctive 'Rutherford dust' character while expressing the unique personality of these ancient vines. Production rarely exceeds 500-600 cases, with most allocated to a select mailing list, making Scarecrow one of the most allocation-driven wineries in Napa Valley.

Visiting Scarecrow requires extraordinary planning, as the estate operates by private appointment only for serious collectors and industry professionals. The intimate tastings, limited to just a few guests monthly, take place among the legendary vineyard blocks where visitors can witness the 80-year-old vines that produce these investment-grade wines. The experience includes walking the historic rows while learning about the estate's survival through phylloxera and its evolution into cult status.

For collectors seeking California's rarest expressions, Scarecrow represents the pinnacle of Napa Valley exclusivity. Contact the estate directly for allocation opportunities and private tasting appointments, where you'll discover why this Rutherford legend commands prices rivaling Bordeaux's finest châteaux.