There is always something exciting going on at Heitz Wine Cellars! During your next visit to the Napa Valley, we hope you will stop by to see for yourself.  Until then, please check back here often for the latest news updates and Events.

~ Heitz Family donates 21 acres to the Napa Valley Land Trust, expanding the boundaries of Linda Falls Preserve

“The Heitz family, famed for its winemaking, has donated 21 acres to the Land Trust’s Linda Falls Preserve just south of Angwin. This addition brings the total acreage of the Linda Falls preserve to 161 acres.

This piece of land is particularly important as it expands the preserve boundaries to old Howell Mountain Road, a traditional hiking and biking access to the preserve itself. The Heitz family donation also adds the upper reaches of the Conn Creek, just above Linda Falls, to the preserve. The

Linda Falls preserve was created in 1998 and expanded in 2008 due to the generosity of Edward Van Egri. It contains mature Douglas fir forest, northern spotted owls, several wildflower plants and an important riparian corridor along Conn Creek.” NapaLife, December 14, 2009

This 21-acre donation is part of the original 42-acre conservation easement that the Heitz family donated to the Napa Valley Land Trust in 2002.

For more information: http://www.napalandtrust.org

^ back to top

~ Wine Institute Elects Officers for 2009-2010 Board of Directors Kathleen Heitz Myers to serve as Treasurer

Ray Chadwick of Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines has been elected Wine Institute Chairman for the 2009-2010 fiscal year at Wine Institute’s 75th Commemorative Annual Meeting of Members held at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley. Also elected were Tom Klein of Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, first vice chairman; David Kent of the Wine Group, headquartered in San Francisco, second vice chairman; Kathleen Heitz Myers of Heitz Wine Cellars in St. Helena, treasurer; and José Fernández of Constellation Wines U.S., secretary.

The Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group for California wineries and affiliated businesses with its members accounting for 95 percent of California wine production and 85 percent of U.S. wine production. Based in San Francisco, with offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., six regions across the U.S. and 13 foreign countries, the Wine Institute is guided by 80 vintners who are members and alternates of an active board of directors. The board elects the chairman and officers on an annual basis. Robert P. Koch continues as President and CEO of Wine Institute. Wine Institute Press Release - June 10, 2009.

For more information: http://www.wineinstitute.org

^ back to top

~ Joe Heitz Memorial Endowment 2010:
Support for Students at Bodega Marine Laboratory

Established in 2003 by friends, family members and associates, the Joe Heitz Memorial Endowment honors Joe’s life-long interest in education, his fascination with the California Coast and his contributions to the Laboratory.

In 2010, the Heitz Family is pleased to share the investment in the next generation of scientists by providing financial support for two talented students: Virginia Choong and Vanessa Perkins. Photo and text provided by Bodega Marine Laboratory.For more information:  http://www-bml.ucdavis.edu

^ back to top

~ 2008 Japan Wine Challenge:
Heitz Cellars named Best Red Winemaker USA
Heitz’ 2002 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet named Best USA Wine
Heitz’ 2001 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet earns Gold Medal

The 11th Japan Wine Challenge was held July 2008 at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel in Tokyo. With over 1,700 wines from 27 different countries, this event is now firmly established as Asia's most prestigious wine competition. Judges from Decanter Magazine and The Institute of Masters of Wine headed the panel.

Amid the crowd of contenders, Heitz Wine Cellars earned several coveted awards including the Riedel Japan Award for Best Red Winemaker in the USA. Heitz’ 2002 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was selected as the Best USA wine in addition to winning a gold medal, and Heitz’ 2001 Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet also earned a gold.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado made an awards presentation during a ceremony in Roppongo.
For more information: http://www.japanwinechallenge.com

^ back to top

~ Heitz Cellars’ Poppy is featured in Wine Dogs USA

According to their official website, “Wine Dogs travels the world in pursuit of mutts and purebreds to feature in (their) books and calendars.” When the Wine Dogs photographer made a recent visit to Heitz Cellars, David Heitz’ photogenic Poppy was happy to strike a few poses. It was no surprise to us that her full page picture made the October 2008 edition of Wine Dogs USA. David revealed a few secrets for Poppy’s new fan club. Like most Bedlington Terriers, her pet peeve is being told that she looks like a lamb. Her favorite naughty pastime is dragging the cat by the tail, and her favorite canine accomplice is Heitz’ equally adored Annie.
For more information: http://www.winedogs.com

^ back to top

~ Auction Napa Valley Brings $10.35 Million at Signature Charity Event
   Despite Challenging Economy, More Successful Bidders Than Ever

6/8/2008: Postcard-perfect weather welcomed revelers to the Napa Valley Vintners' (NVV) annual community fundraiser Auction Napa Valley (ANV) where despite a challenging economic climate, $10.35 million was raised for the area's charities, a 5% increase over 2007.

Guests from across the country and around the globe gathered for the four-day event, now in its 28th year, to bid on barrel futures, one-of-a-kind wines, winery vertical collections and rare bottlings of Napa Valley wines that were often partnered with vintner-hosted events, luxury items and travel at this granddaddy of charity wine auctions known as The American Wine Classic. When the final gavel fell at the Live Auction on Saturday night from the podium at Meadowood Napa Valley, a total of 44 Live Lots, 128 Barrel Lots and 87 E-Lots were sold to winning bidders from as far away as China.

"This was an amazing outpouring of generosity," said Kathleen Heitz Myers, whose family of Heitz Wine Cellars chaired this year's event. "We are thrilled to see that even in these uncertain times people find value in returning to the Napa Valley to spend time enjoying our wines and our vintner camaraderie away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and ultimately supporting our community."

NVV press release.  Photo courtesy Yountville Sun. For more information:    http://www.napavintners.com

^ back to top

~ Heitz Wine Cellars Restores Riparian Habitat on Conn Creek

“As part of its participation in the Fish Friendly Farming Environmental Certification Program, Heitz Wine Cellars is improving riparian habitat along Conn Creek, a tributary of the Napa River that runs through one of Heitz’s vineyards near St. Helena.” - St. Helena Star, March 8, 2007

We have embarked on a multi-year project at our Trailside Vineyard to restore the creek banks along its border. The first phase involved removal of invasive non-native plant species, including Blue Gum Eucalpytus, Himalayan Blackberry and Giant Reed.

As one of the earliest properties in Napa County to enroll in the Fish Friendly Farming Program, Heitz Wine Cellars was recently presented with an award of Congressional Recognition for excellence in Stream Habitat and Restoration. We intend to ensure that the delightful wildlife community that resides along the creek at Trailside Vineyard will continue to thrive for generations to come.

^ back to top