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Producer website

In the late 60s, Joseph Phelps was running one of the largest construction companies in the U.S. when he won the bid to build Souverain Winery (now Rutherford Hill) located a few miles outside of St. Helena. Enamored with the beautiful Napa Valley and contemplating a career change, in 1973 he bought the 600-acre Connolly cattle ranch in Spring Valley, and began planting vineyards. The winery was completed in 1974 and that same year the first Syrah was made, the first grapes were crushed at the new facility and the first Insignia was produced. It was a period of unparalleled activity, creativity, ingenuity, entrepreneurship and risk-taking and it put Joe Phelps on the map of top Napa Valley wine producers.

Nearly four decades later, the flagship wine, Insignia, is recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Twenty nine of 34 vintages have been rated ninety or more points by various wine publications. From 1990 to 2007, the average score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate is 94.5 pts., with the lowest score still a fabulous 91. The 2002 vintage was “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine, and the 2007 vintage has been rated 98 points by Robert Parker and 96 points by Wine Spectator Magazine.
Over the years, the goal of becoming 100% estate grown resulted in carefully planned acquisitions of prime vineyards in the Napa Valley. Today, the Phelps estate consists of the Spring Valley Home Ranch outside of St. Helena, Banca Dorada in Rutherford, Las Rocas and Barboza vineyards in Stags Leap, Yountville Vineyard in Oak Knoll, Suscol Vineyard in South Napa and Backus Vineyard in Oakville.

Beginning with the 2009 vintage, estate-grown wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Insignia, Backus (the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville) and Eisrébe, a dessert wine made from the Scheurebe grape. In addition, a small amount of Syrah is produced from fruit owned by Hyde Vineyards in Los Carneros.

Though the main focus is on Bordeaux varietals, Joe Phelps has had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style. Originally Chardonnay was sourced from St. Helena, later from Yountville and then from Los Carneros. Through the years, however, Joe continued to search for the ideal spot to grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and his search ended when the perfect combination of climate, soil and location was found in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, 200 acres were acquired and planting began. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay are producing some remarkable wines which are available for tasting at the Freestone Guest Center. Visit Freestone Vineyards to learn more.

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Group wines by:


wine type Name, Type, Locale Year
White - Sparkling

Joseph Phelps Ovation Brut Freestone Vineyards

(View Label Image)

White - Sparkling, USA, California, Napa Valley

Rosé

Joseph Phelps Grenache Rosé

Rosé, USA, California, Napa Valley

Rosé

Joseph Phelps Rosé

Rosé, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

Rosé

Joseph Phelps Vin Du Mistral Rosé

(View Label Image)

Rosé, USA, California, Sonoma County

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay

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White, USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Napa Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Celilo Vineyard

White, USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Freestone Vineyards Sonoma Coast

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay One Barrel Select

White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Ovation

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Pastorale Vineyard

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White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Proem No. 4 Freestone Estate

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Proem No. 5 Freestone Estate

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard

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White, USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

White

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard Sonoma Coast

White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

White

Joseph Phelps Gewürztraminer

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White, USA, California, Napa Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Gewürztraminer

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White, USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Gewürztraminer Marc de Gewurztraminer

White, USA, California, Napa Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Napa Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Special Select Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White

Joseph Phelps Marsanne

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White, USA, California, Napa Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Pastiche

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California

White

Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc

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White, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White

Joseph Phelps Sémillon

White, USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

White

Joseph Phelps Viognier

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Napa Valley

White

Joseph Phelps Viognier Vin Du Mistral

(View Label Image)

White, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Le Mistral Vineyard Le Mistral

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Red, USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County

Red

Joseph Phelps 50th Anniversary Cuvee

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Anniversary Cuvée

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Auction Reserve Cuvée HdR

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Red, USA, California

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Franc Estate Grown Napa Valley

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele/Backus

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Napa Valley

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Harvey Nichols Napa Valley

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Innisfree

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon PNV Auction 24/Lot 134 Backus Vineyard Backus Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premier Napa Valley Auction 24/Lot 134 Backus Vineyard

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Auction 19 Lot 111 Backus Vineyard

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Auction 21/Lot 131 Backus Vineyard

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Lot 042

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Lot 123 Backus Vineyard/ Las Rocas Vineyard Blend

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Lot 203

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Lot 66

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Lot 87 Backus Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Lot 94 Backus Vineyard

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Saint Helena Jazz Band Heritage Fund

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Sample for Tasting and Analysis Only Suscol Ranch Napa Valley

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Claret

Red, USA, California

Red

Joseph Phelps Cuvée d'Hospice

Red, USA, California

Red

Joseph Phelps Insignia

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Insignia Anniversary Series

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Insignia Auction Reserve

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Insignia Special Cuvée Auction Napa Valley

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Selected Late Harvest

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

Red

Joseph Phelps Madison Joss Lipton Napa Valley

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Merlot

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Merlot Innisfree

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Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Merlot Le Fleuron

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Pastiche

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Red, USA, California

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Block 212 Pastorale Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Heineman Mountain Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir One Barrel Select

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Pastorale Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Proem No. 1 Freestone Estate

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Proem No. 2 Freestone Estate

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Proem No. 3 Freestone Estate

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Quarter Moon Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Swan Selection Sonoma County Barrel Auction

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Premiere Napa Valley

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Premiere Napa Valley Lot 27

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Sam's Cuvée

Red, USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County

Red

Joseph Phelps Syrah

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Syrah Fig Orchard

Red, USA, California

Red

Joseph Phelps Syrah Larry Hyde and Sons Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

Red

Joseph Phelps Syrah Monterey

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey

Red

Joseph Phelps Syrah Vin Du Mistral

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Vin Du Mistral

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Central Coast

Red

Joseph Phelps Vin du Mistral Pastiche

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California

Red

Joseph Phelps Zinfandel

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Zinfandel

Red, USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma

Red

Joseph Phelps Zinfandel Black Mountain Vineyard

(View Label Image)

Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

Red

Joseph Phelps Zinfandel Chez Panisse House Bottling

Red, USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

Red

Joseph Phelps Zinfandel Dry Creek Benchlands

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Red, USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Delice

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White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Delice de Sémillon

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Eisrébe

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Gewürztraminer Late Harvest

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Gewürztraminer Select Late Harvest

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Late Harvest Anderson Valley

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Phelps Vineyards

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Selected Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Selected Late Harvest Stanton Estate, Yountville

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Special Select Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Johannisberg Riesling Special Select Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Muscat Vin Du Mistral

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Sonoma County

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Scheurebe Special Select Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

White - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Sémillon Late Harvest

(View Label Image)

White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley

Red - Sweet/Dessert

Joseph Phelps Grenache Vin du Mistral En Platicas

Red - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

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