Founded in 1879, Inglenook celebrates 50 years of Coppola Family stewardship
with an exhibition of Mrs. Eleanor Coppola’s photography that will be displayed until September 1st
July 8, 2025 (Rutherford, CA) — Inglenook is pleased to announce that for the second year in a row the winery has been nominated for Best Winery Tour in the country by the editors of USA TODAY. Readers have until July 21st to vote for their favorite nominees in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Inglenook was thrilled to be declared a winner last year.
One of the most historic and sustainably focused wineries in Napa Valley, Inglenook is America’s Grand Wine Estate. Founded in 1879, Inglenook is the largest contiguous estate on Napa Valley’s famed Rutherford Bench, and has consistently been making exceptional wines from organically farmed vineyards with the utmost care and attention to detail, under the stewardship of just two families throughout most of its history.
“To be nominated two years in a row for Best Winery Tour in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is an incredible honor. It is especially gratifying because this year we are celebrating 50 years of Coppola Family stewardship,” said Inglenook’s Estate President, Catherine Durand. “Fifty years ago, Francis Ford Coppola and his late wife Eleanor purchased their home at Inglenook and dedicated themselves to restoring the winery’s global stature. Mrs. Coppola was a wonderful person and a guiding force for Inglenook, and we’re so proud that we can now share her photography with guests who join us for tastings and tours.”
Inglenook marks 50 years of Coppola Family leadership this year with several new offerings, including a beautiful exhibition of the late Mrs. Eleanor Coppola’s photography. Mrs. Coppola was a talented director and artist, and her poignant photos of nature on and near the Inglenook estate have been printed on distinctive paper reminiscent of Japanese scrolls. Eight scrolls are displayed in the Refectory of Inglenook’s grand chateau, which dates back to 1887. Guests have the opportunity to borrow a Polaroid camera from the Inglenook team so they can shoot their own photos of nature to add to the exhibit.
50 Years of Coppola Family Stewardship
Inglenook enjoyed global success from 1879 – 1964 under founder Gustave Niebaum and his descendants, but the winery was sold to a corporation and for 11 years the people running Inglenook dismantled the original estate and strayed from its previous leaders’ commitment to excellence. In 1975, Francis Ford Coppola and his late wife, Eleanor, were searching for a modest vacation cottage and instead ended up purchasing Gustave Niebaum’s home and a portion of the original Inglenook estate. The Coppolas soon discovered what a treasure they had acquired and vowed to restore Inglenook’s esteemed reputation.
Over the past 50 years the Coppola family has reunited all of the contiguous vineyards of the original Inglenook estate (1995); purchased the estate’s iconic chateau (1995); bought back Inglenook’s name and trademark (2011); appointed renowned winemaker Philippe Bascaules as Inglenook’s Director of Winemaking (2011); and built an eco-friendly winery cave that has 120 stainless steel fermenters that correspond to 120 distinct growing areas (2022).
Tours, Tastings and Events at Inglenook
Inglenook has several tasting experiences that range from $75 – $150 per guest. Each of Inglenook’s tastings are led by a Wine Educator who’s also a certified sommelier.
Their newest offering is the Private Cave Tour & Tasting, available seven days per week from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for $135 per guest. This private 90-minute journey begins in Inglenook’s picturesque courtyard where guests follow the same path the wines follow as they are crafted and aged. Next, guests venture into Inglenook’s eco-friendly winery located inside the Italia Cave which houses 120 fermentation tanks that are each dedicated to a unique vineyard block on the estate. As guests travel further into the heart of the winemaking process, they enter the Infinity Cave where Inglenook’s wines are stored for aging. Finally, guests settle into one of the chateau’s historic cellars as one of Inglenook’s sommeliers guides them through a flight of recently released wines with an expertly paired cheese and charcuterie platter from Inglenook’s Estate Chef.
Inglenook is also hosting several special events this year:
This is one of Napa Valley’s favorite events of the year! Holiday shopping, estate wines and light bites set a festive ambiance – followed by a captivating, nostalgic performance by the Saint Helena Community Band. This is a signature event that reflects the Coppola family’s legacy of bringing people together to share in the joy of the holidays.
The Rutherford Bench Celebration, August 23rd, 6 – 9 p.m., $275 per guest, and $225 per Heritage Society member
The Rutherford Bench Celebration will be an extraordinary evening honoring the Coppola Family’s enduring legacy at Inglenook, and their contributions to the vibrant community that has helped shape the Rutherford Bench into one of Napa Valley’s most iconic regions. Together with Inglenook’s esteemed neighbors – Morisoli Vineyard, Pestoni Family Estate Winery, Scarecrow, and Staglin Family Vineyard – who each have cherished ties to the Coppola Family, guests will celebrate the deep-rooted connections that define the Rutherford Bench. Exceptional wines, delicious food, and camaraderie infuse this shared celebration of heritage and friendship.
Vineyard Walk & Luncheon, October 18th, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., $175 per guest, and $150 per Heritage Society member
Just in time for fall, Inglenook offers a charming Vineyard Walk & Luncheon led by their expert team. Guests explore the vibrant beauty of the vineyards while discovering Inglenook’s commitment to organic farming, thoughtful stewardship, and the art of living well. The journey concludes with a seasonally inspired picnic lunch prepared by Estate Chef Alex Lovick and the culinary team, celebrating nature’s bounty and Inglenook’s enduring dedication to excellence.
RC Syrah Dinner, November 8th, 6 – 9 p.m., $250 per guest and $180 per Heritage Society member
Fine wine meets the art of surprise as guests step into an enchanting world of mystery and elegance to celebrate the release of 2022 RC Reserve Syrah. Roman Coppola, a Syrah aficionado who is fond of both the Australian and Northern Rhone expressions of the varietal, worked with the Inglenook winemaking team to create an estate Syrah that combines the nuance and texture of ‘old world’ Syrah with the powerful fruit of ‘new world’ Syrah. The RC Dinner is a celebration of multi-generational dedication to excellence, enhanced by Roman’s flare for the unexpected.
Holiday Open House & Concert, December 14th, 4 – 7 p.m., Complimentary
About Inglenook
Inglenook was founded in Napa Valley in 1879 and has made high-quality, well-farmed wine consistently across three centuries. Family-owned, with multiple generations dedicated to its stewardship, Inglenook is America’s Grand Wine Estate.
Totaling 235 planted acres, Inglenook is divided into 120 discrete viticultural areas, meticulously differentiated by a set of meaningful criteria, from year of their planting to topography and soil – and even daily tastings of the fruit in each harvest area. These 120 harvest areas align with a corresponding set of 120 fermentation tanks in the new cave winery. This micro focus informs a relentless, visionary study to understand the property’s nuanced terroir, with the perpetual goal of enhancing the wines’ overall quality. Inglenook has unprecedented control from the vineyard to the final blends, forming the exceptional quality of Inglenook’s five quintessential wines: Rubicon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, a distinctive Marsanne-Roussanne-Viognier blend called Blancaneaux, and RC Reserve Syrah, crafted by Director of Winemaking Philippe Bascaules.
Inglenook’s iconic chateau was first constructed in 1887, and faithfully restored in 1997. Befitting the grandeur of the Inglenook estate, the chateau welcomes guests for seated tastings and special events. Inglenook is located at 1991 St. Helena Highway in Rutherford (Napa Valley), and can be found on social media @inglenook1879, and online at www.inglenook.com. The estate is open to guests by appointment only and reservations can be made by contacting reservations@inglenook.com.
