One of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries, Larkmead Vineyards, is celebrating 75 years of family ownership with an estate event on October 14th, 2023, in Calistoga
Calistoga, CA, September 12, 2023 — “I am pleased to announce our achievement of 75 years of Solari family ownership of Larkmead Vineyards,” said Kate Solari Baker, President. “We have been very fortunate that my parents, Larry and Polly Solari, had the vision and foresight to buy Larkmead in 1948.”
Wine critic Robert Parker noted that “[Larkmead] is one of the great, great sources of Cabernet Sauvignon in not only Napa, but anywhere. Fabulous wine. Fabulous terroir.” The organically farmed estate wines have amassed over 140 scores of 95 points and above from internationally respected wine critics. The Solari family, and the Baker family, have long sought to return Larkmead to its former glory. The owner, Kate Solari Baker, consistently reminds people of Larkmead’s rich history: “It has always been the family’s goal to grow grapes and produce wine worthy of our historic estate.”
Larkmead Vineyards played an integral and unique role in the rise of Napa Valley. The famous Lillie Hitchcock Coit entertained at her Salon at Larkmead in the 1870s. The Salmina family founded Larkmead Vineyards in 1895. Later, the Salmina family was instrumental in positioning the estate as a leading winery at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915, winning multiple gold medals. In the 1930s, André Tchelistcheff, widely known as the father of Napa Valley winemaking, recognized Larkmead as one of “The Big Four” great Napa wine estates (which also included Inglenook, Beringer, and Beaulieu Vineyard). The pioneering U.C. Davis viticulturist, Dr. Harry Olmo, became deeply involved in developing wine clones for the estate. Larkmead Vineyards was also a founding member of the Napa Valley Vintners Association. Bruno “Larry” Solari was a leading executive in the nascent California wine industry, along with his close friends the Martinis, the Mondavis, and the Gallos.
The 75th Anniversary Party will be hosted on October 14th, 2023, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Larkmead Vineyards, located at 1100 Larkmead Lane in Calistoga. The special day will be commemorated by a California State Senate Resolution authored by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, which will be on display at the winery. Dodd is quoted: “It is a pleasure to recognize Larkmead Vineyards, which is one of Napa’s oldest and most distinguished estates. A special congratulations to the entire Solari family and the memories of Polly and Larry Solari. This is also a moment of appreciation for what Kate and Cam Baker accomplished over the last three decades.” It is expected to be a great event with a fond celebration of the personalities that shaped the last 75 years of family ownership.
About Larkmead Vineyards
Larkmead Vineyards is one of the oldest premier wine estates in Napa Valley. Originally founded in 1895, Larkmead has been under the stewardship of the Solari family since 1948. The wines are 100% estate grown and produced. The 115 planted acres are organically farmed and produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Tocai Fruilano, and a unique experimental block of different grape varieties. Situated on the floor of northern Napa Valley, between St. Helena and Calistoga, the vineyards extend between the facing Mayacamas and Vaca Mountain ranges, and encompass a rich variety of rocky soils. www.larkmead.com
