1467 Cellars

1467 Cellars. The roots of 1467 Cellars date back to the 1950s when Juan Roldan left his hometown of Acopinalco del Peñón, in Tlaxcala Mexico, in search of greater opportunity for his family. Acopinalco del Peñón is a rural community located in the municipality of Tlaxco in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,650 meters (8,694 feet) above sea level, the village is part of the highland region of central Mexico and has a population of about 2,500 residents. The community lies near several hills and rocky formations, including the prominent Peñón that gives the locality its name.

The area is known for its agricultural traditions, livestock raising, and close connection to the natural landscapes that characterize northern Tlaxcala. Acopinalco del Peñón is surrounded by forests, grazing lands, and mountainous terrain that support rural livelihoods and outdoor activities. The nearby rocky formations and canyon landscapes have also attracted interest for hiking and mountain sports.

Like many communities in Tlaxco Municipality, Acopinalco del Peñón preserves local customs, religious celebrations, and traditional Mexican cultural practices. Residents participate in community festivals that reflect the region’s history and identity. The village is valued for its peaceful atmosphere, scenic surroundings, and role in maintaining the agricultural heritage of Tlaxcala. Today, Acopinalco del Peñón remains an important rural settlement that contributes to the cultural and economic life of the municipality of Tlaxco.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Juan was part of the Bracero Program, which brought Mexican agricultural workers to the United States on temporary contracts. His work took him across California’s farming regions and eventually into Napa Valley, where he spent time working vineyards in and around St. Helena.

Today, Juan’s grandson, Erik Ayala, is winemaker for 1467 Cellars. Outside of their own label, Erik and his father Ruben work at Pride Mountain Vineyards, gaining hands-on experience in both vineyard management and winery operations. Ruben is Lead Mechanic & Production Assistant while Erik is a Viticultural & Production Assistant. 1467 Cellars was founded to showcase not only great wines, but also for personal reasons – to highlight family history and values.

The name 1467 pays homage to the numerical address where Erik’s grandparents Juan and Teresa lived. An image of their front door appears on each wine label.

Select Wines
Whites
Sauvignon Blanc
The 2023 1467 Cellars Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in color; the bouquet smells bright but never crosses the direction of green or grassy or tropical, rather it falls somewhere in between. Its scents include jasmine, citrus blossom, Meyer lemon, pineapple guava, grapefruit, pineapple and bosc pear. Easy drinking and a lighter styled expression of the variety, in terms of its union between texture and acidity, this wine mimics the bouquet to some extent and tastes like pineapple guava, red delicious apples, golden kiwi, yellow plums, lychee and pomelo. Finishes with loads of fruit and a balanced and a bright supporting acidity. Its mouth feel is supple. Both flavor and acidity parallel each other for some time on the bright finish. Versatile in terms of what foods this would pair with, we would go down the path of spicy seafood. This wine would pair especially well with ceviche, grilled shrimp, or other seafood dishes featuring bright citrus flavors.

Reds
Pinot Noir
The 2023 1467 Cellars Pinot Noir is medium ruby in color; this is a riper expression of the variety. The nose smells dried rose petals, strawberry, raspberry jam, red licorice, red cherry, plums and old cedar box with a light minerally or ferrous character deep in the aromatics. Filled with flavor, primarily red fruits, this wine tastes like raspberry, strawberry, cherry, Persian mulberry, red plums and a light influence from its time in the barrel. And the palate enters with a soft and supple feel, but finishes with some noticeable structure. The tannins are gravelly, broadly coating and persist with a tumbled and persistent tug. Unlike many riper California Pinot Noirs, this wine retains noticeable tannic structure, contributing both texture and aging potential. This wine sports some depth, an attractive play between flavor, texture and acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2022 1467 Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby and nearly opaque; the bouquet is expressive showing both ripe red fruits but also some sweeter spices, a contribution from its time in oak. This wine smells like blackberry jam, boysenberry preserves, cherry pie, dark raspberry, blueberry and Santa Rosa plum with additional layers of cinnamon stick and cloves. This wine tastes like cherry pie, blackberry jam, boysenberry, dark raspberry, Himalayan Purple mulberry, baked plums, currants and cloves. The ripeness is balanced by a bright and persistent acidity. Plush and soft across the palate, this wine showcases a riper textural expression of the vintage. The tannins are rounded and linger with a gentle and light dusty tug. For reference, 2022 was a hot year in Napa Valley, featuring an extended heat spike centered around Labor Day weekend.

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1467 Cellars produces their wines at a winery on Vallejo Street in Napa. Home to a beer distributor in the 1970s this space has been bonded as a winery since the 1970s; for many years it was the oldest continuously operating winery within the city limits of Napa. Numerous producers have made wines here over the years including Robert Craig, Ehlers Estate, Spelletich, Vinoche and Benton Family Wines. Located in a mixed-use part of town just north of downtown the space is surrounded by numerous auto body shops.

The previous tenants oversaw a significant remodel inside (a huge change as compared to when the previous tenants occupied the space) – at one point discovering rot in some walls almost up to the ceiling level left over from when significant parts of downtown Napa last flooded in late December and early January 2005. A side room was remodeled to showcase library and select premium wines – which during their occupancy, was also used to host private tastings. A larger hospitality space is located next to their production area. Rather than isolating guests from the winemaking part of the building, both production and hospitality space are adjacent to each other, so guests are able to easily see the operations side of the business while enjoying a tasting.

1467 Cellars hosts tastings here or at the Napa Valley Car Club, located in the Oxbow District directly next to the Napa River. Several spaces are available for tastings including weather permitting outside on the nearly 5,000 square foot patio among the palm trees and a private room. The Barn houses a collection of fine exotic automobiles, a lounge area and bar and the upstairs vault for playing pool. Tastings with 1467 Cellars are unscripted, informative and at your own pace.

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1467 Cellars represents a new generation of Napa Valley winegrowers whose story reflects both the agricultural traditions of Mexico and the opportunities created through decades of vineyard work in California. Through wines crafted by Erik Ayala and inspired by the legacy of Juan and Teresa Roldan, the brand honors family, perseverance, and the enduring connection between vineyards and the people who tend them.