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History

Davies Vineyards could not be here today if it weren’t for the efforts of those who pioneered the Schramsberg Estate.

“It’s rewarding to be working on something that has roots that go beyond my life. Our business was started by my parents, but before my parents there were Jacob Schram and then the Pringles. Similarly, we can’t know exactly the course of the future ahead and yet there is a tangible link to the future ahead so you feel that you’re part of something that goes beyond your own life and I think there is something humbling and rewarding about that.” – Hugh Davies

Davies Timeline

J. Schram Era Previous Slide
  • Jacob Schram family members gathered on steps of historic redwood cabin on Schramsberg property, circa 1862

    1862

    Jacob Schram purchases 200 acre Mt. Diamond property from the government and begins development of Napa hillside vineyards. Herman Adolph Schram is born.

  • Annie Schram with her son Herman and cellar workers rest at entrance to Schramberg wines caves, circa 1890

    1870

    Chinese laborers dig Napa’s first hillside caves for wine-aging and storage. Schramsberg has 30,000 vines.

  • Side view of the J. Schram Victorian house and vegetable gardens, circa 1875

    1875

    Schram Victorian mansion with stately veranda completed on vineyard site.

  • Author Robert Louis Stevenson around the time of his visit to Schramsberg in 1880.

    1880

    Author Robert Louis Stevenson visits Jacob Schram’s estate. Descriptions of his stay are recorded in his book, Silverado Squatters. Schramsberg produces 8,403 cases of wine from 50 acres of vines.

  • The Jacob Schram family sitting on the veranda of the Schramsberg Victorian house in 1890

    1890

    Schramsberg produces 540,000 lbs of grapes (approx. 28,361 cases of wine) from 100 acres of grapes.

  • Antique label for Schramsberger Burgundy made by Vintner Jacob Schram, circa 1891

    1891

    Wines produced at Schramsberg listed as Zinfandel, Sauvignon Vert, Burgundy, Hock, Sauterne and Riesling style of wines. Schramsberg Riesling served to President Harrison at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

  • Jacob Schram portrait, circa 1878

    1905

    Jacob Schram dies. Property inherited by son, Herman.

  • Schramsberg Vineyard abandoned wine caves. circa 1912

    1912

    The winery ceases operation and is sold.

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Jack & Jamie Era Previous Slide
  • Dedication of the state historical landmark plaque for Schramsberg Winery on December 31, 1956

    1957

    Schramsberg is declared a Historical Landmark by the California Historical Society under ownership of the Pringle family

  • Jack and Jamie Davies as a young couple in 1969 at Schramsberg

    1965

    The 200-acre Schramsberg property purchased by Jack and Jamie Davies. First crush of grapes under the Davies proprietorship of Schramsberg Vineyards and Cellars. Hugh Davies is born the month after the family takes over the winery.

  • Color lithograph of vineyard and mountain in the Napa Agricultural Preserve

    1968

    Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve established. Jack Davies helped spearhead the passage of the nation’s first such agricultural preserve.

  • Exterior of the McEachran house on the Schramsberg property, circa 1985

    1985

    Nineteenth-century, 20-acre McEachran Winery Estate (contiguous with Schramsberg) purchased, reuniting under single ownership these two historical California properties.

  • Vista of Davies Vineyards on Diamond Mountain AVA

    1994

    The replanting of the winery’s historic Diamond Mountain property to Cabernet Sauvignon and the red Bordeaux varietals begins.

  • James Beard Foundation Medal of Excellence

    1996

    Jack and Jamie presented with James Beard Foundation’s National “Outstanding Wine and Spirits” Award. Hugh Davies joins Schramsberg as Enologist full time.

  • Jamies Davies, Schramsberg's matriarch, circa 2008

    1998

    Jack Davies passes away and Jamie becomes Chairman of the company. Jack L. Davies Napa Valley Agricultural Land Preservation Fund established. Schramsberg Vineyards placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Jamie Davies, Schramsberg's matriarch, circa 2008

    2008

    Matriarch Jamie Davies passes away. The oak grove in the lower vineyard is dedicated as “Jack and Jamie’s Grove.

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Davies Family Era Previous Slide
  • Hugh Davies as a young vintner in 1999, kneeling by vines at Schramsberg in 1999.

    2000

    Hugh Davies becomes Head Winemaker

  • Wedding photo of Hugh and Monique Davies kissing under a red umbrella in the olive grove.

    2004

    First vintage of J. Davies Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon (2001) released. The wine is named in honor of Jack Davies. Hugh Davies marries Monique Nelson in the olive grove on the estate.

  • Hugh Davies and his mother, Schramsberg matriarch Jamie Davies, pose in front of wine barrels at the winery in 2005

    2005

    Hugh is named as CEO/President of Schramsberg Vineyards and Jamie remains chairman.

  • Sean Thompson, Director of Winemaking at Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards

    2006

    Sean Thompson joins Davies Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker.

  • Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards' Napa Green Certified Land and Napa Green Certified Winery Certificates

    2009

    Schramsberg Vineyards receives final certification under both the Napa Green Winery program and the Napa Green Certified Land program.

  • McEachran Vineyard with solar panels in the background on Diamond Mountain

    2010

    Schramsberg Vineyards installs 466,806 kilowatt-hours solar array consisting of 1,655 panels.

  • Hand sorting grapes at Davies Vineyards

    2012

    First crush at new Davies Vineyards Winery in St. Helena.

  • Hugh Davies with a silver shovel breaking ground on Davies Vineyards site in 2015.

    2014

    Davies Vineyards starts construction on new tasting room in St. Helena.

  • Hugh and Monique Davies and their three sons strolling through wrought iron gate of the historic Victorian house

    2015

    Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jack & Jamie Davies revival of the Schramsberg property. Sean Thompson is promoted to Senior Winemaker.

  • Exterior of the Davies Vineyards hospitality facility in St. Helena, California

    2017

    After three years of construction, the stunning new home for Davies Vineyards wines opens in downtown St. Helena next to the winemaking facility.

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