OUR HISTORY

The Origin of a Legacy.

In 1899, 12-year-old Louis M. Martini set out from Genoa to work for his father’s seafood business in San Francisco. As he grew older, he became increasingly eager to start a business of his own. This ambition led him to Napa Valley in 1933, where he built his winery, becoming one of only five winemakers to do so at the Repeal of Prohibition. He selected Napa for a single, simple reason: its unmatched grape quality. Driven by a keen understanding of Napa’s potential, he started acquiring vineyards and recognized Cabernet Sauvignon as the most promising variety. Over the decades, Louis M. would create wines that reflected their unique sense of place.

He chose Napa Valley for its unmatched grape quality.

He taught the business to his son, Louis Peter, who continued the family legacy of advancements in winegrowing and winemaking. Louis P. Martini put his own signature on the wines, bringing an artist’s touch. An avid photographer, he’d ride his horse to Monte Rosso Vineyard, capturing the changing seasons through his lens. Yet his talents extended beyond the artistic realm. He was a scientist, tinkerer, and a deeply considerate man. Louis P.’s contributions to the wine industry were numerous. He developed superior grape clones, pioneered wind machines to mitigate frost, and produced California’s first varietal Merlot. As a founding member of the Wine Institute and the American Society of Enology and Viticulture, he fostered a strong sense of community that spread far and wide.

Returning to Our Roots

As the winery nears the century mark, we are returning to our roots—to the kinds of wines and community approach our founders possessed. Winemaker Zach Watkins guides the winemaking as it embarks upon a new chapter for the next 100 years. Inspired by the wines Louis P. made in the 1960s and 70s, Zach prioritizes the integrity of the variety, producing wines with higher acidity, lifted aromatics, and moderate alcohol. He keeps a keen eye on the future with a deep respect for the past, showcasing classic expressions and the potential for longevity rather than volume.

A Benchmark of St. Helena

A visit to Louis M. Martini is where Napa Valley’s past, present, and future can be seen, felt, and tasted. Restored in 2019 by famed architect Howard Backen, our winery honors our storied history and toasts to the next century in Napa Valley.

In our iconic tasting room, the surrounding valley and working winery are part of the experience. Guests can peer into the oak barrel cellar, where our wine is handcrafted with the same care and attention to detail as it was nearly a century ago, while enjoying plentiful natural light and the generous hospitality of our staff.

Our culinary team, led by Napa native Chef Aaron Meneghelli, enhances the guest experience with seasonally changing pairing menus that bring out the best in each vintage.