Founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz, pioneers who helped define the region’s modern era. From the start, the estate became known for its pure, age‑worthy Cabernet Sauvignons—most famously the single‑vineyard Martha’s Vineyard bottling, first released in 1966 and now considered a Napa Valley icon. It remained in the family for 3 generations. The 2nd and 3rd generation family leadership continued until 2018, when the Heitz family sold the winery and its vineyard holdings to the Lawrence family and Demeine Estates, who invested heavily in vineyard renewal, organic and biodynamic farming, and a refined, terroir‑driven vision.
Heitz has had an exclusive contract for decades to source fruit from Martha's Vineyard, but it’s still a grower relationship, not an estate vineyard. The new ownership has been moving Heitz toward estate‑driven, fully controlled farming across Napa. Because Martha’s Vineyard is not under Heitz’s full farming control, they can’t apply their practices across the entire site.
This pedigreed vineyard showcases the 2018 vintage with its classic bouquet of ripe, black fruit reminiscent of blackberry, sweet plum, and classic. Notes of bay leaf, mint, and eucalyptus add aromatic intrigue and complexity to this wine, which is complemented by a structure only achievable in the highest-quality vintages. This iconic vintage of Martha's Vineyard has a softness yet wit a firm presence and a finish that leaves and unforgettable impression.
Reviews
97 Owen Bargreen bottling. From the Oakville AVA, this reveals a lush mouthfeel and wonderful sense of salinity that makes your mouth water. Bright red and dark fruits mingle well with espresso grounds and wet gravel, alongside shades of menthol on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, and impeccably balanced, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2044
96 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate In a vintage that played to its strengths, the terrific 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard is a cool, gently herbal wine, loaded with black cherries and cassis, with just a touch of licorice. It's medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety without being heavy at all, concentrated and intense, with a long, tannic but ripe finish. Rating: 96+
90 Wine Spectator This red brims with dark currant, cherry and loganberry fruit, but you have to work through a lush swath of menthol to get there, all while notes of sweet tobacco and a hint of loam run underneath. Fine-grained, with a lingering twang of iron, this has all it requires for a lengthy cellar run yet needs to meld a bit more.
Details
Location
United States > California > North Coast > Napa Valley AVA
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
