With origins dating back to 1895, Larkmead Vineyards’ history is centered around several past generations. Like many of Napa’s great legends, each story tells of bygone days when families settled in Napa’s rich fertile valley with dreams of success and a love of wine instilled in them from the old country. Larkmead’s legendary past is much the same, paying tribute to the Coit, Salmina, and Solari families, and now present-day proprietors Cam and Kate Solari-Baker. Kate’s parents, Larry and Polly Solari, owned the winery from 1948-1992 and passed down a legacy rooted in strong viticultural philosophies honoring the diversity of centuries-old riverbed soils at the 110-acre site. By continuing to vinify small lots according to clonal selection and soil type, the subtle nuances and complexities of each block and varietal are celebrated as well as preserved for the next generation to come.

A Sense of Place

Born from a single parcel of vines, each with its own unique soil profile, the Larkmead wines represent true site-specific winemaking at its best. Primarily focusing on finely crafted Cabernet Sauvignon and reds, the estate soils of gravel, clay, and loam are the calling card for each bottling. Their Firebelle, a Merlot named after Lillie Hitchcock Coit, America’s first female firefighter, masks as a cabernet with firm structure and power from the Bordeaux-style varieties in the blend yet beguiles with its core of soft, plush merlot fruit. Another impressive shapeshifter, Lillie, a distinguished Sauvignon Blanc, entices with varietally correct aromatics then seamlessly transitions to the weight and refinement of a top-notch Chardonnay.

Living “Green”

As one of the oldest family-owned wineries in Napa Valley, the importance of longevity through sustainability has guided Cam and Kate’s transformation of the historic vineyard into a world-class wine estate. Both the interior and exterior spaces were re-designed in 2006 to purposefully respect their natural environment. Green farming methods have been an inherent practice for decades, culminating in recent “Napa Green Certified Winery” and “Napa Green Land” certifications. Their daughter Ann Baker, a MS in Landscape Architecture, brought back pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds by planting native species throughout the estate. A seasonal waterway restoration project spearheaded by Ann now allows steelhead to return and spawn in the newly fortified eddies and pools. To reinforce the singular expression of terroir even further in each wine, Cam and Kate built a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly cellar, complete with dedicated vinification tanks to house individual vineyard blocks during the winemaking process.

Visit and Taste

Experience the serene and idyllic setting along with exquisite wines in the Larkmead Estate Tasting. A walking tour of the newly planted research vineyard (weather permitting) is followed by an intimate tasting of Firebelle, Cabernet Sauvignon, and LMV Salon. $95 per person/complimentary for club members. 60 minutes, outdoor seating only. Schedule online at larkmead.com or email reservations@larkmead.com.

Taste from afar with Larkmead’s new Virtual Tastings. A fully customized wine selection from their award-winning collection. Vintage and tasting notes, food pairing suggestions for each wine tasted, vineyard maps, and more are shipped to your doorstep for a truly tailored tasting experience. Led by wine veteran Daniel Stoch, his approachable wine knowledge and gorgeous drone footage of the estate will make you feel like you’re right there in the vineyard. Email virtualtastings@larkmead.com for more information.