Heron Lake Winery

David Mahaffey planted Heron Lake Vineyard in 1980 in Wild Horse Valley east of Napa Valley. A boutique grower and producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Mahaffey has crafted estate wine from the site since the first vintage in 1985. The 14-acre vineyard (downsized from the original 24 acres after unsuitable sites were pulled out) is planted to Dijon and Pommard clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The appellation is defined by its cool climate (the coolest in the Napa region) and the unique, rocky soils.

The label on the winery's Pinot Noir is a homage to Olivia Brion, suffragette and decedent of a great French wine family. In 1905 she won a huge wager by outrunning a locomotive. Later in life she ignited a furor by publishing passionate letters from her many paramours including Warren Harding and Paul Gauguin. Refer to the website for the full story. See Olivia Brion in Winery Directory for reviews.

The Pinot Noir is served in many fine restaurants and available through the website and retail distribution.