Upon Its 50th Anniversary, Sullivan Rutherford Estate Announces Future Plans for Pa Vinea, a Merlot-Based “First Growth” Rooted in 200 Years of History

“The vision of our endeavor is larger than one person, place, or time. We firmly believe that no one can build a great wine or iconic estate in one generation,” added General Manager Joshua Lowell. “Today, we honor the last 50 years in Sullivan’s history, but we also need to recognize a larger legacy, including its continuance with us as its bearers.”

Since acquiring the Sullivan property in 2018, the team has taken a holistic approach to build upon the foundation of the Rutherford-based Estate. With the guidance of Vineyard Manager Mike Wolf, in early 2019 they purchased a 12-acre parcel of land in the Soda Canyon area, located in the eastern foothills of the Napa Valley between the Stags Leap District and Coombsville. This land was planted the following year with an emphasis on Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In September 2021, the team also acquired the renowned Criscione Vineyard located in St. Helena at the base of Howell Mountain, which has a history of producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The Criscione property is 18 acres with roughly half under vine.

The name PA Vinea is derived from the Latin translation of Golden Ratio, Proportion Aurea, a harmonious arrangement rooted in nature, explained by mathematics and applied to both art and science and the translation for “vineyard.” “Over the centuries, the Golden Ratio has been explained by a variety of definitions but is often described as the most pleasing visual aesthetic to the human eye,” says Torres Padilla. “We chose to name it using Latin to convey a meaningful message of depth and substance through the 2000+ years of Greek-Roman tradition. PA Vinea embodies the principles that guide the team’s work, including balance, intention, precision, excellence, timelessness and beauty,” he says.

The PA Vinea Family Reserve is a Merlot-dominant blend and the first vintage, 2019, will be released in the fall of 2023. The wine will be produced in limited quantities for members, friends and extended family from the best of the winery’s three estate vineyards.

“In our multi-year search for a wine property, the Napa Valley was the perfect marriage between the tradition and excellence of the Old World, with the ambitious and adventurous culture of the United States of America —and specifically California—which is what brought me here,” says Torres Padilla. “We are honored to continue the story of this estate, building upon the vision of founder James O’Neil Sullivan. Like wine, the Golden Ratio is both real and abstract, intrinsically recognizing and reconciling the enriching dichotomies of art and science, nature and human invention, tradition and modernity, Old World and New World.”

The 50th-anniversary celebration and announcement of PA Vinea was a major milestone for Managing Partner Juan-Pablo Torres Padilla, General Manager Joshua Lowell, Estate Director Lisa Barker, Winemaker Jeff Cole and Vineyard Manager Mike Wolf, who endeavor to further elevate a five-decade foundation of hard work, vision and pioneering spirit by creating unique experiences that allow people to connect through shared passions.