Schramsberg Vineyards
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Winery, Wine production |
| Founded | 1862 in Calistoga, California, United States |
| Founder | Jacob Schram |
| Headquarters | Calistoga , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Hugh Davies (CEO) |
| Products | Sparkling wines |
| Owner | Davies family |
| Website | www |
Schramsberg Vineyards is a Napa Valley winery situated in Calistoga, California, established in 1862 by German immigrant Jacob Schram. Renowned for its high-quality sparkling wines produced via the traditional champagne technique, Schramsberg stands as a premier California label and was the first American winery to compete with leading French Champagnes in both style and excellence.
After nearly fifty years of inactivity, the winery was revived in 1965 when entrepreneurs Jack and Jamie Davies acquired it, refocusing production exclusively on sparkling wines. Currently managed by their son, Hugh Davies, Schramsberg maintains a strong international presence, emphasizing its commitment to quality and legacy.
Founding and early development (1862–1905)
In 1862, Jacob Schram, born in 1826 in Pfeddersheim, Germany, and hailing from a family involved in winemaking, acquired the Napa Valley land that would become Schramsberg. Although his primary occupation was barbering, he planted several grape varieties and cultivated the vineyard. By the 1870s, he had carved out cellars within the hillside, and by 1876 annual production reached 12,000 gallons. Within a few years, the estate expanded significantly and was producing approximately 12,000 cases each year.
Schramsberg gained prominence in the 1880s after being featured in Robert Louis Stevenson's The Silverado Squatters, which highlighted its early role in the wine industry. Stevenson recounted sampling eighteen different wines at Schramsberg during his 1880 visit to Napa Valley, underscoring the winery’s growing reputation.
The business continued to flourish through the late 1800s. Upon Jacob Schram’s death in 1905, ownership transferred to his son Herman Schram.
Period of decline (1905–1965)
Shortly after inheriting Schramsberg, Herman Schram sold it to Sterling Investment Company. In 1916, San Francisco businessman W. J. McKillop acquired the property but converted it into a summer home instead of continuing wine production. Over the next forty years, ownership changed multiple times—including figures such as Captain Raymond C. Naylor and John Gargano—but none resumed winemaking activities.
Douglas Pringle became the owner in 1951. Thanks to efforts by his wife Katharine Cebrian, Schramsberg was officially recognized as a California Historical Landmark on December 31, 1956. After the Pringles divorced in 1959, the estate remained unused for several years.
Davies family revival (1965–Present)
In 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies purchased the neglected Schramsberg estate with a vision to produce sparkling wines employing the traditional French Champagne method—a departure from Napa’s usual varietals. This strategic direction allowed Schramsberg to carve out a distinct niche within the wine market.
A significant achievement occurred in 1972 when Schramsberg’s 1969 "Blanc de Blancs" was served at the historic "Toast to Peace" during President Nixon’s visit to China, cementing the winery’s prestige. Since that event, Schramsberg wines have been present at every U.S. presidential administration function, boosting brand visibility and influence.
The winery has received numerous prestigious honors such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Festival of Méthode Champenoise (1995) and the James Beard Foundation's Wine and Spirits Professional Award (1996), reflecting its leadership and excellence in sparkling wine craftsmanship.
In 1996, Hugh Davies—son of Jack and Jamie Davies and a UC Davis enology graduate—joined full-time and currently serves as CEO, spearheading business expansion and strategic initiatives. The winery was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, underscoring its historical significance.
Following Jack Davies’ death in 1998 and Jamie Davies’ passing in 2008, family succession disputes arose when John Winsell Davies challenged the family trust that excluded him from ownership. Nevertheless, under Hugh Davies’ leadership Schramsberg continues to thrive as a successful enterprise.
See also
- John Winsell Davies, offspring of Jack and Jamie Davies
References
- Jamie Davies Dies at 73; Creator of Sparkling Wine, New York Times, February 19, 2008
- Napa Sparkling Wine to Catch French Attention, New York Times, December 20, 2006
- Red, White, and Blue Bubbles, New York Times, December 26, 2001
- California Pop Culture, Black Enterprise, June 1985
- Wine Evaluation: J. Schram and J. Davies Diamon, San Diego Magazine, April 2006
- A Firm Choice, Decanter.com, May 30, 2007
External links
- Articles with short description
- Pages using start date and age with unknown parameters
- Wineries in Napa Valley
- Companies based in Napa County, California
- Sparkling wines
- 1862 establishments in California
- California Historical Landmarks
- National Register of Historic Places in Napa County, California
- American companies established in 1965
- 1965 establishments in California
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment