Schweiger Vineyards

Schweiger Vineyards harvested their first grapes in 1984 and produced their first commercial vintage in 1994. The original 8 acres was purchased by Fred Schweiger in 1961 when he was 19 years of age. Fred paid $250 per acre for land that was completely forested; of all the vintners we have met in Napa Valley, perhaps Fred was the youngest to ever purchase land here. His great grandparents originally immigrated to the U.S. from, Krieglach, a small municipality in Austria, via Vienna to the Santa Cruz mountains. The family eventually settled in San Francisco where Fred’s grandparents owned one of the last pieces of farmland in the San Francisco city limits. His father was Anton George Schweiger (died 1984); Anton and his wife Theresa moved to St. Helena in 1972. Fred originally owned a construction company but when interest rates hit all-time highs in the late 1970s he pulled his construction crew out of their projects and put them to work clearing his land for vineyards.

Spring Mountain is often above the fog and in the summer can be noticeably warmer than the valley floor. Unique microclimates and terroir with 5 distinctive volcanic soil types on their property make this an ideal growing region, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon, as a result, the majority of the vineyards are planted to this variety. Additional varieties planted here include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Rather than outsource the management of their vines to a vineyard management company, their vineyards are overseen by both family and a year-round vineyard crew, a number of whom have been with them more than 10 years.

Schweiger Vineyards is owned by Fred & Sally Schweiger, both of whom grew up in San Francisco and in 2026 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

This is truly a family affair as their son Andrew (locally known as Andy) is the winemaker and Fred handles the vineyard management. Schweiger Vineyards is the definition of a family owned and operated winery – overseeing and controlling both viticulture, winemaking and hospitality – all on the property. Andy worked at several wineries before taking the winemaking job here including ZD Wines, Joseph Phelps and Trefethen; his degree is in Fermentation Science with a minor in Viticulture from U.C. Davis. Their daughter Megan is also involved in national sales and distribution and after a three-decade long career teaching, Andy’s wife Paula is also actively involved in their day to day operations.

Andy has a long history of working at premium Napa Valley wineries and also makes wine on site for several boutique wineries. We’ve tried several of the wines from the boutique producers that he makes wine for; you’re not going to find a bad Andy Schweiger crafted wine! And besides winemaking, Andy enjoys playing music; he used to perform with the Santa Rosa Symphony and also play in the Sonoma County Junior Symphony with our brother.

Prior to making wine they sold their grapes to other premium wineries and winemakers, however today most of the grapes from their 53-acre property (two adjoining parcels are planted to 35 hillside acres of grapevines) are kept on site for their own wines. A special trellis called the Schweiger-Smart trellis system was developed by Fred Schweiger in collaboration with viticulturist Richard Smart. The system combines elements of two different trellising methods and is designed to open up the grapevine canopy while minimizing excessive vegetation. The goal is to allow filtered sunlight to reach the grapes rather than leaving the clusters completely shaded. The system uses six trellis wires along with two- and three-foot cross T-bars set at varying heights.

The physical winery is perched at about 2,000 feet. All their winery operations are 100% solar powered. Unlike a number of the Spring Mountain wineries that share driveways, Schweiger has their own driveway just down from the Napa/Sonoma County line.

Select Wines
Whites
Schweiger produces two white dry wines every year, a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc. Their Sauvignon Blanc is their only non estate wine.

Sauvignon Blanc
The 2022 Schweiger Sauvignon Blanc Uboldi Vineyard Sonoma Valley is pale yellow in color; the bouquet is simultaneously floral and fruity including scents of citrus blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle, pineapple, ripe pear, apricot, pomelo and grapefruit. The palate is minerally and shows more green and citrus fruit characteristics than the bouquet. It sports flavors of grapefruit, green apple, a lemon/lime note and gooseberry. Crisp and refreshing the wine’s acidity dances across the palate, especially felt on it’s vibrant finish. A very light fennel-like sweetness shows up deep in the finish. Every year this wine is barrel fermented and then aged sur lie. Pair with Thai steamed fish with lime garlic sauce (Pla neung manao). The Schweiger Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc has been sourced from the Uboldi Vineyards in Kenwood (neighboring Sonoma County) for several decades.

Chardonnay
Their Chardonnay is one of the rare Spring Mountain bottlings of this variety and is a wine that Sally really enjoys drinking. The grapes for this wine are grown at some of the higher elevations in the Spring Mountain District at about 2,100 feet; this is among one of the highest plantings of Chardonnay in Napa Valley. Only two acres of this variety grow on site, on a part of the property that is more shaded (and as a result, cooler) as compared to the vines surrounding the winery.

The 2017 Schweiger Vineyards Chardonnay is pale gold in color; smells like April in a Bakersfield blooming citrus grove off of Highway 178 before entering the Kern River gorge, but the aromatics are not just one dimensional; the bouquet also offers notes of honeysuckle, sweet vanilla and honeycomb along with hints of ripe stone fruit and citrus zest. Shows a richness of both flavor and weight on the palate with flavors of peach, pear and citrus complemented by subtle barrel influences. Its texture is rounded and supple with enough acidity to keep the wine balanced and lively. The richness is especially noticeable on the finish which lingers with plenty of fruit and some darker dessert spice notes along with almond and a subtle hint of vanilla. This wine was fermented in a combination of both French oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks.

Reds
Cabernet Franc
The 2016 Schweiger Vineyards Cabernet Franc is deep ruby in color; the aromatics show plum, blueberry, dark chocolate and cedar. Also hints of dust and dried herbs. Somewhat savory initially but opens to more fruit as the wine breathes. Sometimes wine triggers totally random memories – smelling this Franc reminds us of motorbiking across the island of Paros in Greece on a warm summer late afternoon – with the smell of wild herbs in the air and the sea crashing into the rocky cliffs far below. Mouth filling fruit, juicy. Good acidity – lingers with a pleasing textural feel – a darker finish with notes of cracked peppercorn and earthy tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The Cabernet Sauvignon wines that we have tried from Schweiger over the years age extremely well; all have featured bright acidity and well-structured tannins. Some of their later vintages often have a small amount of Merlot blended in which helps soften and smooth out the mouth feel.

The 2010 Schweiger Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon shows a sweet note on the bouquet with plum and dusty blackberry, aromatically balanced and gently lifted by hints of cocoa powder and dried violet. On a second pass, subtle notes of cedar shavings and warm baking spice emerge, adding a bit of savory complexity without overwhelming the fruit. A jam‑like blackberry quality shows on the palate (but not really jammy), more like ripe, macerated berries than cooked fruit, joined by flavors of black cherry and a touch of mocha. The mouthfeel is soft and pleasant, with a rounded, almost creamy mid‑palate that carries the fruit across the tongue. Lingering, well‑integrated tannins frame the finish, leaving impressions of dark berry, spice, and a light dusting of cocoa that encourages another sip.

The 1994 Schweiger Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% varietal; this is part of the first vintage ever produced by Schweiger. At 32 years post vintage the color has transitioned to a deep tawny and is nearly opaque. Shows plenty of bottle bouquet and tertiary characters, with fruit taking a far back seat and muted conversation at this age. The nose smells scents of cigar wrapper, humidor, pipe tobacco, dried mushrooms, library book, damp potting soil, forest floor, dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Given time in the glass, the fruit starts to express itself – including of dried blackberry, dark plum and a brambly character. A lively vein of acidity immediatley touches the palate – bring a fresh character to a wine that is 3+ decades old. The fruit shows quite a bit more here than on the bouquet, with flavors of red cherry, currant, dark raspberry, Santa Rosa plum, boysenberry with a persisting layer of dried tobacco leaf. The tannins are broadly dispersed, felt across the entire palate with a light to moderate dusty tug which outpaces both fruit and acidity on the finish. Its ABV is a spritely 13.5%.

Merlot
The 2004 Schweiger Vineyards Merlot is a good example of the diversity of what can grow on Spring Mountain. Don’t like Merlot’s…try this one, maybe you will change your mind. It is fruit forward, yet also a juicy wine with plenty of depth and tasty blackberry and black cherry flavors. The fruit is ripe and generous without being overly heavy, complemented by subtle darker spice notes along with hints of cedar and dried herbs. Its texture is rounded and supple with a pleasing richness across the palate, while balanced acidity helps keep the fruit lively. There is a nice interplay between its darker fruit and more savory characteristics. The finish is very long, lingering with both dark fruit, earthy nuances and a light touch of spice.

The 1999 Schweiger Vineyards Merlot (100% varietal) is deep garnet at 27 years post vintage; dark fruited with other dark non fruited complements, this wine smells like dried plums, blackberry, boysenberry, dark cherry, fig jam, dark chocolate, mocha, coffee grounds, sweet pipe tobacco, old cedar box and a finishing balsamic aromatic note. Shows plenty of maturation for its age but still offers plenty of aromatic intrigue and layering. Brightly lit across the palate from its energetic acidity, its fruit is still present, although perhaps the acidity is becoming more prominent as the fruit starts to fade. This wine tastes like dried plums, red currant, red cherry, not fully ripe boysenberry, red mulberries and pencil shavings. Finishes savory with both acidity, red fruits and dried herbs all vying for a voice in the conversation. The tannins are present, still showing a gentle tug, persisting with a light dusty and drying character rather than any overt grippy texture. We would drink this now or in the next couple of years, rather than much more aging. Its ABV is 13.7%.

Dedication
The Dedication is also very popular and is a red varietal blend of typically Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, & Malbec. This wine is Andy’s tribute to his father and was first produced in 2000. This Bordeaux styled blend is made in extremely small quantities and is always dedicated to a family member.

The 2010 Schweiger Vineyards Dedication shows blueberry, blackberry and dark plum along with cedar notes and hints of vanilla and baking spices on the bouquet. There is also a subtle savory character here, complemented by notes of dried herbs, darker spices and a light earthiness. The aromatics are well layered with the fruit showing nicely alongside the wine’s oak influences rather than being dominated by them. The wine is soft and elegant on the palate with flavors of blueberry, plum and dark cherry. Its texture is supple and rounded with a pleasing richness, yet the wine never feels heavy. The fruit is supported by balanced acidity which helps retain freshness across the palate. The finish is long and persistent, anchored by long lasting integrated and earthy tannins along with lingering notes of dark fruit, cedar and baking spices. There is plenty of structure here, but the tannins are well integrated into the wine rather than being harsh or overly gripping. Beautifully balanced between its fruit, oak and structure.

Schweiger styles their Cabernet Sauvignon, Dedication and Merlot bottlings to be approachable upon release. Part of this involves extended aging prior to release – up to five years old (three years in barrel and two in bottle). This additional age in part helps tame the robust mountain tannins. This is a great thing for the consumer as most wineries release their wines much younger.

And in 2018, Schweiger harvested their first Pinot Noir, sold the resulting wine as bulk that year and the following year, produced their first estate Pinot Noir. This is Napa Valley’s highest planting of this variety at about 2,000 feet in elevation. This wine is made from clones Swan, 777 and Pommard.

Dessert
Be sure to try Iteration, a fortified wine which is typically made in very small quantities from their estate Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, usually less than 10 barrels. It is made a Solera style, non-vintage and the “number” changes every time they release a new bottling. Their first vintage of this wine was in 1997 and until 2016, the bottlings were all labeled as Port. As respect to the region of Portugal producing Port wines, Andy changed the name of this wine to Iteration. And in respect for his decision to do so, Andy was knighted by the organization in Portugal responsible for giving out such titles. This Cabernet Sauvignon fortified wine is one of the finest of its kind we have tasted in Napa Valley. It was originally fortified with brandy made from their grapes by their neighbor Domain Charbay but today they source high quality spirits from Germain-Robin.

Their latest Iteration at the time of our latest update to this review was their 12th release, IE Iteration XII. This bottling shows a sweet component on the nose along with dried rose petals, a hint of sage, blueberry and red cherry. It is a delicious wine, packed with layers of flavor. With plenty of complexity, there is nothing linear about this wine at all.

And we tried the Schweiger Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Port VII in 2022 (only their 7th edition of this wine – five barrels were produced). This bottling is dark ruby with some brickish colors; the bouquet is intense and offers sweet aromas of prune, cherry liqueur, ripe boysenberry, black licorice and as the wine evolves in the glass it offers some notes of sage. It also shows a diversity of dessert notes including espresso, brown sugar and chocolate brownie. Rich flavored, sweet, but superbly balanced this bottling reveals flavors of blackberry jam, strawberry and toasted marshmallow. Its texture is like liquid velvet rolling across the palate effortlessly. It shows a subtle hint of dried tobacco leaf on the finish. For dessert wine enthusiasts this bottling can be dangerous; its nearly 20% alcohol and each sip begs for another sip and before you know it, the bottle is drained, and you are lying face down on the couch feeling very, very fine.

As a result of a trip Andy Schweiger took to Portugal in 2015, specifically visiting wineries along the Douro River, he returned to Napa Valley determined to make a white port-style wine. This dessert wine is cleverly named Napuro and was always made with their estate grown Chardonnay. Typically, only a barrel was produced and was always fortified with brandy. 2016 was their inaugural vintage of this wine; unfortunately the 2019 Napuro was their last vintage produced.

The 2018 Schweiger Vineyards Napuro is medium to deep gold in the glass; offers aromas of peach, apricot, ripe pear, and sweet tree resin. Also shows notes of honey along with tropical fruits. As the bouquet breathes some deeper aromatics are revealed including toffee and caramel. Sports a light viscosity on the palate along with some sweetness but this wine is not overly sweet as the acidity keeps the sugar in check. Offers a variety of flavors including hazelnut, yellow nectarine and ripe apricot. This is a conversation piece to be sure due to its very limited production and the fact it is a very unique Napa wine. Nicely done.

Hospitality
Schweiger Vineyards is located off of Spring Mountain Road; allow about 15 minutes to drive up the hill from the town of St. Helena or about 30 minutes from downtown Santa Rosa. Regardless of which direction you drive from, the road is narrow and windy with cell phone coverage fading in and out at times. Once visitors arrive at the gate, press the code to be buzzed in and drive slowly (10 mph maximum) down the partial gravel driveway through rows of vines. It is not an uncommon sight to see Fred riding his well-weathered yellow 1947 Caterpillar D2 tractor within the vineyards or one of several of their much newer tractors.

The Estate Tasting Experience includes a brief overview and tour of the actual winery facility (designed by Fred) and ends with a tasting in their modern tasting room either at one of several tables or at the bar. A metal strip wraps around the lower outside section of the bar, taken from a wine tank; one can clearly see the ‘dimples’ in the metal. Tastings are booked every half an hour.

Weather permitting, guests can also sit outside on either a small deck adjoining the tasting room or a patio overlooking both Fred and Sally’s home in the distance as well as their picturesque vineyards. Note the photographs inside the tasting room taken with San Francisco 49er players and ownership. In previous years, the Schweiger’s were one of 49 wineries selected to be poured at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. In a modern touch, a digital counter which updates live inputs, displays their total number of Instagram and Facebook followers.

And the All Terrain Vineyard Experience includes a ride through their vineyards with either Andy or Fred at the wheel. Stops are made within the vineyard to taste wines from specific blocks. This in-depth experience is selectively offered from May through September and lasts 2 to 2.5 hours.

In fall 2020, a major wildfire (dubbed the Glass Fire) tore through the Spring Mountain District destroying numerous wineries, vineyards and other structures. Remarkably the Schweiger’s were able to save their winery and various structures from being damaged, as they stayed on site and along with various firefighters, heroically fought the fire that was burning on and all around their property.

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Several Schweiger wines are produced in small amounts and are only available to members of their wine club. Many of their wines are 100% varietal with just a few exceptions. One can find their wines locally at a variety of Napa Valley restaurants. Schweiger Vineyards also offers customized label services for private-label wines. And they have longed embraced the power of wine videos (reference their Youtube channel). For more information, to schedule a visit or to join one of four wine club membership options, including the nicely named, Extended Family Wine Club, visit: www.schweigervineyards.com

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