William Cole Vineyards — Attraction in Napa Valley AVA

My family and I first visited William Cole on a whim in 2008, when the Calistoga Ranch booked us a tasting appointment. We were instantly blown away by the exceptional quality of the wines which reflect total and exclusive attention from the farming to the winemaking by Bill Ballentine, a 4th generation Napa resident. The entire operation is housed in an historic stone building which Bill has adapted a bit over time. His wines are nothing short of spectacular and are classic examples of both estate fruit and selected areas of Napa which are called Small Lot Series. Bill is also quite innovative, bottling a wine he named Ten which was his flagship Cuvee Claire blended from ten vintages in Barrel. He followed that with a Fifteen, then more recently with some single vineyard Petit Verdot, aged in barrel for 13 years and Cabernet, aged in barrel for 10 years. His Chardonnay, a tribute to his wife, is made in the white burgundy style, clean, crisp, acidic, and spectacular. All wines are small production, consistently very high quality and cellar worthy. To add to the excitement, Bill’s son Cole has signed on to the effort and is making his mark as a winemaker. Through the years we’ve developed a deeply personal relationship with the winery. Not only have we set up tasting appointments for our friends visiting Napa Valley, but we hosted Bill at my dad’s law office in Boston for a private tasting. We’ve even carved out a significant portion of our cellar to house our collection, which ranges from 750s up to 6L bottles from just about every vintage of every varietal released going back to 1997. And it gets better! Bill and Cole have acquired a spectacular site at the top of Howell Mountain where they make fantastic wine under the Predecessor label. Like the William Cole Cuvee Claire, Predecessor is deep, complex, layered and balanced but with classic mountain characteristics. Bill is a winemaker’s winemaker and his commitment to excellence is a pop of the cork away. We travel to Napa often and have a substantial cellar. I would rate William Cole as a very special favorite of all of wine being produced in Napa today. As you would expect, the attention to detail does not end with Bill, Cole or his family. Emily Steen, the hospitality director, is simply outstanding. Do yourself a favor and book an appointment to taste through their portfolio with their incomparable team. You’ll...

William Cole Vineyards is a true treasure among California wineries. As a small, family-owned business, they embody the perfect blend of passion, professionalism, and personal touch. Their commitment to producing high-quality, organic wines is evident in every sip—rich flavors, beautifully balanced, and crafted with care from vineyard to bottle.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting them at the Monterey Car Show, and their hospitality was second to none. They welcomed guests warmly, shared their deep knowledge of winemaking, and made everyone feel like part of the family. Their dedication to sustainability, organic farming practices, and excellence in service truly sets them apart.

If you’re looking for a boutique winery that delivers both exceptional wine and an unforgettable experience, William Cole Vineyards is...

These wines are fantastic! Wonderful family-owned winery who’s care, passion and intimacy in all aspects of the wine making process shines through in their wines. The vintages of Cuvée Claire Cabernet Sauvignon I’ve sipped are full bodied with a beautiful color and bouquet. The Cuvée Jane Marie is hands down my favorite Chardonnay anywhere in the world. It’s crisp and fruit forward with delightful acidity. If you get a chance to taste or buy the Ten or Fifteen, jump on it! I’ve only been blessed to taste the Ten but it was truly sublime. Have paired WC wines with everything from In-and-Out to The French Laundry. The William Cole wines truly elevate...