Acclaimed Napa Valley Cabernet Producer Opens Landmark Winery Designed
by Lundberg Design
August 18, 2025 (Calistoga, CA) — Vice Versa Wines founder Patrice Breton today announced the opening of Vice Versa’s highly anticipated estate winery and caves in Calistoga. Known for producing some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after and compelling Cabernet Sauvignons, Vice Versa now has a permanent home at the 11-acre Vice Versa Estate in the Chalk Hill Gap—an architectural and vinous expression of terroir, purity, and timeless design.
The 10,000-square-foot winery was designed by San Francisco-based architects Olle Lundberg and Lev Bereznycky of Lundberg Design and reflects Breton’s minimalist aesthetic and artistic sensibilities. Designed to disappear into the landscape, the Corten steel and concrete structure is built into the hillside. Inside, a dramatic axis leads into an expansive vaulted cave and private tasting salon housing large-format bottlings and curated artwork by Brazilian artist Bruno Leonardo Franklin de Melo, whose work also graces Vice Versa’s Beckstoffer Dr. Crane label.
“I love the minimalist and holistic architecture, the contrast between the angularity of the exterior and the flowing spaces inside,” said Patrice Breton. “The vibe is very much punk-rock chic, and the use of steel and concrete is stunning, effective, and completely fire-resistant. Other than the chairs in the tasting salon, there’s nothing to burn.”
A New Era for Vice Versa
Founded in 2003 by French Canadian vintner and former tech entrepreneur Patrice Breton, Vice Versa has quietly risen to the top tier of Napa Valley producers. Guided by the precision winemaking of Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky of Atelier Melka since 2015 and now led day-to-day by Winemaker Spencer Kelly (formerly of Eisele Vineyard, Colgin, and Seavey), Vice Versa produces micro-production, vineyard-specific wines from some of the region’s most celebrated vineyards.
The estate vineyard—planted primarily to 30-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines—sits at 500 feet elevation in rocky white tufa soils in the cooler western reaches of Calistoga. Afternoon marine breezes keep the site 8–12°F cooler than surrounding areas, delivering wines with freshness, purity, and seductive richness. The vineyard is farmed by Matt Hardin.
Winemaking and Wines
Minimalist in style and engineered with fire-resilient construction, the winery reflects a low environmental impact while offering immersive hospitality spaces with uninterrupted views of the estate vineyard and surrounding mountains.
The new winery is engineered for precision and beauty. Highlights include 20 custom double-walled Lejeune stainless steel fermenters with automated pump-overs, allowing for exacting control and gentle extraction. A covered crush pad is centered between two cantilevered barn-style structures that frame the hillside vines, reinforcing the symmetry of design and function. The caves span 5,000 square feet underground and are used for both barrel aging and private hospitality experiences.
The fermentation program is further elevated by the inclusion of four Nico Velo Tulipe concrete tanks, which promote natural micro-oxygenation and textural finesse, and three large foudres that provide extended aging with a gentle touch of oak. Together, these elements underscore Vice Versa’s commitment to a minimalist, terroir-driven winemaking philosophy rooted in precision, purity, and place.
In addition to the Vice Versa Estate Vineyard, Vice Versa also sources from some of Napa Valley’s most exalted Grand Cru-caliber sites, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Steltzner, and Ecotone vineyards. Since 2012, Vice Versa has been selling all wines as futures and is currently pre-selling the 2024 vintage of Cabernets.
Visiting Vice Versa
Hospitality experiences are available by appointment only and hosted by Director of Sales and Hospitality Jeffrey Geil. Each visit includes a private tour and tasting of four to five wines and costs $250 per person, waived with a three-bottle purchase. Tastings are offered daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To reserve a tasting or for more information, email info@viceversawine.com or call 707.968.5620.
ABOUT VICE VERSA
Founded in 2003 by French Canadian vintner Patrice Breton, Vice Versa is a micro-production winery crafting single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. With a deep reverence for terroir, culture, and contemporary art, Vice Versa has become one of Napa Valley’s most collectible cult labels, with multiple 98–100-point scores and a reputation for intensity, elegance, and purity. For more information, please visit www.viceversawine.com.
