Vine Hill Ranch: One of Napa Cabernet's Best-Kept Secrets

Bruce and Heather Phillips' little-known Oakville vineyard provides grapes to Napa's elite, and their own estate Cabernet is an authoritative expression of the site

Vine Hill Ranch: One of Napa Cabernet's Best-Kept Secrets
Vine Hill Ranch vineyard in Oakville has long served as a source for some of Napa's finest Cabernets. (Courtesy of Vine Hill Ranch)
Oct 13, 2021

How’s this lineup? Bond, Accendo, Kinsman Eades, Lail, Keplinger, Dalla Valle’s new DVO project … these are just a few of the producers who source fruit from Vine Hill Ranch.

Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard the name. Located in the southern portion of western Oakville, VHR is quietly considered one of the top sources for Cabernet Sauvignon. In a wine world with a preponderance of single-vineyard bottlings, VHR’s name doesn’t typically appear on labels. And that’s OK with owners Bruce and Heather Phillips.

Member-Only Content

Premium Subscription

Join today and get immediate access to this article, and to our entire database of more than 400,000 wine ratings. It only takes moments—but it will help you drink better all year long.

Start Free 30-day Trial

Already a member? Sign In

Try Winespectator.com Free for 30 Days!

Full access to our database of more than 400,000 wine ratings

Early access to reviews on our editors' favorite just-rated wines

Wine and food pairing tool,
chefs' pairing recommendations

Best value wines and winery intel

Subscribe today

You Might Also Like

Léoville Las Cases: The Sixth First-Growth

Léoville Las Cases: The Sixth First-Growth

One of St.-Julien's crown jewels, LLC's 2022 may rival the estate's benchmark 2010

Apr 21, 2023
Pichon Baron Offers a Clue to the True Quality of 2022

Pichon Baron Offers a Clue to the True Quality of 2022

At Pichon Baron and Pibran in Pauillac, the value end of the lineup belies a Bordeaux …

Apr 19, 2023
Lynch Bages Raises Its Ceiling with New Cellar, Newer Vintage

Lynch Bages Raises Its Ceiling with New Cellar, Newer Vintage

The 2022 vintage continues to impress in Pauillac and St.-Estèphe with promising wines …

Apr 17, 2023
A New Classic Bordeaux on the Horizon at Pichon Lalande

A New Classic Bordeaux on the Horizon at Pichon Lalande

Lalande and de Pez director Nicolas Glumineau shares a preview of the 2021 and 2022 …

Apr 13, 2023
Joel and Sarah Gott Make Great Cabernet Look Easy (It’s Not)

Joel and Sarah Gott Make Great Cabernet Look Easy (It’s Not)

The Napa-based winemaking couple keeps their dedicated fans coming back with a structured …

Apr 5, 2023
The Torres Family’s Quest to Resurrect Lost Grapes

The Torres Family’s Quest to Resurrect Lost Grapes

Could ancient varieties be the future of winemaking in a warming Spain?

Mar 24, 2023