Newton Vineyard
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Winery |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Peter Newton and Su Hua Newton |
| Fate | Permanently closed in early 2025 |
| Headquarters | St. Helena , United States |
Area served | Napa Valley, California |
Key people | Robert Mann (estate director and winemaker, from 2014), Jean-Baptiste Rivail (estate director, from 2017), Alberto Bianchi (head winemaker, 2016–2021), Andrew Holve (head winemaker, from July 2021) |
| Products | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot wines |
| Parent | LVMH Estates & Wines (majority control since 2001) |
| Website | www |
Newton Vineyard is a distinguished winery situated on Spring Mountain, close to St. Helena within Napa Valley. Established in 1977 by Peter Newton and his spouse, the estate became part of the LVMH Estates & Wines portfolio following their acquisition of a controlling interest in 2001. After sustaining extensive damage during the 2020 Glass Fire, the vineyard announced its permanent closure set for early 2025.
History
In 1977, entrepreneur Peter Newton—who also co-founded Sterling Vineyards—and his wife Su Hua launched Newton Vineyard. Their original estate, covering one square mile, was among the pioneering wineries on Spring Mountain. The French luxury group LVMH gained majority control through Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin in 2001. Following Peter Newton’s passing in 2008, his family maintained a minority stake of 10%.
Spanning 500 acres, the property featured meticulously designed gardens, multi-tiered cellar facilities, and a Japanese-style pagoda that accommodated winemaking operations. Between 2019 and 2020, a $10 million upgrade was completed, including transitioning the vineyards to organic farming methods. Shortly thereafter, the Glass Fire devastated nearly all of the vineyard’s 68 cultivated acres along with its infrastructure.
After the fire, production activities moved to Brasswood in St. Helena, where from 2021 Newton Vineyard resumed offering private tastings and wine-paired dining experiences by reservation. A tasting room in Calistoga opened in 2022. Despite initial intentions to reconstruct, the winery ceased operations permanently in early 2025 when its Calistoga lease was not renewed.
Winery
Between 1983 and 1996, winemaker John Kongsgaard directed Chardonnay production at Newton Vineyard using grapes sourced from his personal vineyard. His style—characterized by French influences, unfiltered wines, and extended aging—left a significant mark on California winemaking. Known for producing unfiltered wines with lower alcohol content, Newton Vineyard has supported artists since 2009 by commissioning limited-edition wine-related creations that reinforce its "eco-chic" identity. Robert Mann assumed the roles of estate director and winemaker in 2014; Jean-Baptiste Rivail took over as estate director in 2017. Alberto Bianchi served as head winemaker from 2016 until July 2021, when Andrew Holve took over.
At the time of LVMH’s acquisition in 2001, Newton Vineyard managed over 130 acres and produced between 28,000 and 40,000 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot, with guidance from oenologist Michel Rolland. By 2017, vineyard holdings had grown to approximately 170 acres spread across the Yountville AVA, Mount Veeder AVA, and Spring Mountain AVA appellations. A replanting initiative in 2012 concentrated on Cabernet Sauvignon at Spring Mountain. Whereas previously Cabernet grapes from all three estates were blended under the Le Puzzle label, starting with the 2014 vintage each vineyard’s fruit was bottled separately. Prior to the destruction caused by the 2020 fire, annual output approached roughly 20,000 cases.
External links
- LVMH brands
- Wineries in Napa Valley
- St. Helena, California
- Companies based in Napa County, California
- 1977 establishments in California
- American companies established in 1977
- Food and drink companies established in 1977
- 2025 disestablishments in California
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment