RUTHERFORD HILL WINERY
The History of Rutherford Hill
Perched high on a scenic hilltop, Rutherford Hill Winery overlooks the famed Rutherford Bench, drawing from Napa Valley's finest vineyards to craft exceptional wines. Established in 1972, the winery's founders recognized the valley's unique similarity to Pomerol, pioneering Merlot as Napa's signature variety.
Since acquiring the winery in 1996, the Terlato family has carried forward a legacy of excellence, investing in the estate and refining the character and complexity of every bottle.
Today, the family, alongside our talented winemaking team, honor a steadfast commitment to the highest quality.
The Terlato Family
QUALITY IS A WAY OF LIFE
Meet the Terlato Family
For more than 70 years, the Terlato family has helped to grow and shape the wine industry in the United States. Through four generations, the family's passion for and commitment to quality has shone through by way of the incredible wines that they have brought to the table of the American wine drinker.
The stability and vision of the family allow for a very long and multi-generational view of vineyard management and winemaking. This ensures that our estate will continue to be sustainably managed and farmed with a focus on healthy vines and a healthy ecosystem.
Importers, marketers, and producers of some of the world’s finest wines, the Terlato’s are a four generation American wine dynasty. Anthony Terlato, the patriarch of the family, will always be fondly known as the Father of Pinot Grigio for introducing the varietal to Americans in 1979. Anthony’s son Bill is the CEO of Terlato Family Wines and the family has welcomed the next generation into the business.
Winemaking
“It’s an exciting time at Rutherford Hill Winery – I can’t wait to share the new wines and hospitality space with our guests.”MICHAEL COODE / WINEMAKER
Our unique vineyard sites feature a diverse array of climates, terroirs, and grape varieties, each contributing to the best expression of Napa Valley.
GENERAL MANAGER & HEAD WINEMAKER
Michael Coode
Born in South Africa and raised in Australia, Michael Coode comes from a family of accountants. However, a career test during school identified winemaking as a natural path for him. It wasn’t until he started working at a bottle shop in Australia, surrounded by wines and labels from around the world, that he truly caught the "wine bug" and found his calling.
With over 26 harvests under his belt across four countries, Coode has gained invaluable experience at renowned wineries, including Château Margaux, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Inglenook, Inniskillin, Wolf Blass, E&J Gallo, and Rombauer Vineyards. Reflecting on his journey, Coode credits the many mentors who guided and supported him throughout his career, saying, "I’ve been fortunate to have had wonderful mentors who took me under their wing and shared their knowledge of the world’s incredible wines."
Today, Coode is recognized as a leading figure in Napa Valley winemaking, with a keen ability to shape the future of Napa's next generation of world-class wines. In 2022, he was appointed by the Terlato family as General Manager and Head Winemaker at Rutherford Hill Winery. In this short time, he has already made significant strides, including earning a 94-point score from Wine Spectator for the AJT Sauvignon Blanc.
Coode holds a Master’s in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University.
WINEMAKING
Innovation Practices
At Rutherford Hill, our pursuit of excellence drives us to embrace innovation at every stage of winemaking. We’ve adopted cutting-edge techniques, including selecting meticulously curated parcels of fruit and employing a refined French oak barrel regimen to elevate the quality of every bottle. In addition, our remarkable hillside caves hold 5,000 barrels and provide a beautiful venue for holiday and winemaker parties.
Our winemaking team conducts advanced fermentation trials, experimenting with different temperatures, yeast strains, and sugar levels to unlock each wine’s full potential. By tailoring our approach to specific vineyard blocks and clones, we harness the natural diversity of the grapes, ensuring that each varietal expresses its unique character.
These innovative methods allow us to craft wines that stand out for their exceptional quality, flavor, and distinction. We invite you to explore the results of our dedication and innovation—experience Rutherford Hill wines that truly capture the essence of Napa Valley.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Rutherford Hill Winery, we believe in leaving the world better than we found it. That’s why we’ve made sustainability the cornerstone of everything we do—from our vineyards to our cellars. As a 100% solar-powered winery, we’re not just crafting exceptional wines; we’re also investing in the future of our planet.
From installing Owl Boxes in the vineyards to embracing organic farming techniques, we prioritize natural and green solutions that uphold the highest standards of quality. Our estate's solar farm not only harnesses the sun’s energy to power our winery and our commitment to energy conservation but also contributes clean energy back to the local grid, further reducing our environmental footprint.
As a family-owned business, we understand that every small step adds up. The Terlato family believes that by continually adopting sustainable practices, we can help preserve Napa Valley’s beauty and resources for future generations. We’re proud to be certified by Napa Green Vineyards and Winery and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance since 2015, proving that sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s the way forward.
At Rutherford Hill, we’re constantly evolving, seeking new ways to make a positive impact on both the environment and the wine industry. We invite you to join us on this journey and enjoy wines that are as good for the planet as they are for your palate. Together, we can create a future where exceptional winemaking and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Vineyards
With just over 110 acres planted, our estate vineyards capture the very best fruit in Rutherford, Pope Valley and Napa Valley.
Our estate vineyards capture the diverse terroir of Napa Valley, resulting in wines with exceptional complexity and character. Spanning high-elevation hilltops, the Rutherford valley floor, and the rolling hills of Napa's north, our Napa Green-certified sustainable vineyards are the foundation for crafting unique and expressive wine.
NAPA VALLEY
AJT Estate Vineyard
The newly dedicated Anthony J. Terlato Vineyard (AJT Vineyard), located in the heart of Rutherford AVA, commemorates our beloved patriarch and founder’s legacy in Napa Valley, which started with Rutherford Hill. It is the primary source of our highest quality luxury Cabernet Sauvignon fruit and the exclusive source of our award-winning Sauvignon Blanc.
NAPA VALLEY
Rutherford Estate Vineyard
The Estate Vineyard is one of a few hillside vineyards in the Rutherford AVA. Offering a starkly different soil type, this vineyard consists of mostly sandy volcanic ash, which contracts to the much deeper and heavier loam of the valley floor. As a result, the wines from the hillside tend to be more aromatic and expressive. The beauty of this unique site is that it is still uniquely Rutherford with an added twist.
NAPA VALLEY
Pope Valley
The Pope Valley is in the northeastern corner of Napa Valley. It has seen a rise in prominence in recent years, as growers have uncovered its potential to grow fruit at higher elevations, like Atlas Peak.
Pope Valley’s distance from the Pacific and San Pablo Bay and its higher elevation combine to create a balance in growing, similar to some of Napa’s most famous AVA’s.
