Centuries before love letters, candlelit dinners, or engagement rings, there was wine shared between two people and used as a tool to deepen relationships. Now celebrating 25 years into the story at O’Brien Estate, romance is the foundation of the brand. Barb and Bart O’Brien believe that a shared bottle becomes a ritual—a way to pause, look one another in the eye, and say without words: this matters.

The Humble Beginnings

For Barb O’Brien, the romance with wine began long before she met her husband, Bart. At just 20 years old, she stunned her professor at Montana State University by delivering a spirited lecture on wines from around the world—complete with paper cup tastings for 35 of her classmates. One skeptical cowboy accused her of trying to “Californicate Montana,” but Barb was undeterred. It didn’t take long for her to realize she was, at heart, a true Californian, and she moved to San Francisco.

Later, her passion led her to Bordeaux, France, where she lived for six months, immersing herself in French food and wine culture. Following that, she returned to San Francisco, where she met Bart O’Brien, then a software entrepreneur.

It was on their third date in Napa Valley that Barb voiced her dream of owning land and starting a winery. Bart, already enchanted by Barb, quietly tucked that dream into his heart. Twelve years, two children, and one enduring love story later, he made that dream a reality.

The O’Briens purchased a charming winery once owned by the Costello family—the 39th bonded winery started after Prohibition. The transition was anything but seamless. With no experience, no manuals, and a shed full of unfamiliar equipment, Barb and Bart had no idea how to drive a tractor, perform pump-overs, or even farm grapes. But what they lacked in know-how, they made up for in heart—and a little help from their neighbors.

Enter Bill and Claudia Hanna, longtime Napa Valley grape growers whose Chardonnay once made history in the famed Judgment of Paris. The Hannas strolled over to offer a warm welcome and a helping hand. Along with their son Michael, they taught the O’Briens how to nurture vines and grow truly exceptional grapes.

But growing the grapes was just the beginning. Down the road lived another winemaking legend—Dave Cofran, one of Silver Oak’s original team members and its longtime general manager. Dave and Bill Hanna partnered to produce the first three vintages of O’Brien Estate. Later, they introduced Barb and Bart to rising star winemaker, David Yorgensen, who had trained under Philippe Melka. David has now been crafting the estate’s wines for over two decades, carefully shaping each vintage under Barb and Bart’s vision.

Photo courtesy of O’Brien Estate

A Love Story in Every Bottle

But the true magic of O’Brien Estate lies not just in the grapes or the terroir—it lives in the love story that inspired the wines themselves. Because while it was Barb’s dream to start a winery, it was Bart’s dream to marry Barb. Together, they created a collection of wines that tell the story of a relationship, from the first spark to lasting devotion. “Because we recognize the importance of wine in creating a bond between two people, romantic poetry is a way to queue up the conversation,” Bart said.

“To celebrate our meeting and romance, Barb and I created a series of wines with romantic names.” Each wine in the romantic series—Fascination, Attraction, Flirtation, Romance of the Heart, Seduction, Passion of the Soul, Devotion, and Reflection—marks a chapter in their shared journey. And on the back of every bottle, Bart penned a poem to Barb, capturing the emotions he felt at each stage of their relationship. More than just wine, each bottle is a love letter—a testament to dreams pursued, risks embraced, and a vineyard life built on a foundation of true romance.

Romance of the Heart

Bordeaux Blend

Extend to me

The hand of conversation

Twirl me with laughter

Embrace me with kindness

Will you be mine for a moment?

Or for a lifetime?

Written by Bart to Barb

25 years of Exceptional Vintages

When Robert Parker Jr. of Wine Advocate was still personally tasting, he was particularly fond of the O’Brien Merlot. “All three Merlots come from the southern Oak Knoll section of Napa Valley, and all three are brilliant efforts that are as good as Merlot can be.” He added, “O’Brien wines have elegance and finesse to them, while also being full-bodied with a rich tannic structure of soft tannins and a velvet kiss.” A series of mid-90s scores culminated in a 98-point score for the 2013 Unrestrained Reserve.

Upon reaching a quarter-century milestone, it’s widely acknowledged that the number of Napa wineries has nearly doubled since 2000, and corporate interests throughout the valley have expanded significantly. However, not everything has changed. As a family-run business with David Yorgensen as consulting winemaker for over 20 years, the O’Briens are especially proud to remain an independent brand. With only 5,000 cases produced, O’Brien Estate wines cannot be found in stores or restaurants. Bart & Barb like to tease “we don’t sell wine to strangers” because their wines can only be purchased directly from the estate. With ~3000 members in their wine club and a three-month waiting list, O’Brien Estate wines are highly sought after.

Bart & Barb live on the estate where tastings are still hosted in their backyard next to the vineyard, often coming out to greet guests, share a glass and exchange stories. The O’Briens make people feel right at home with their relaxed and intimate tastings, welcoming everyone as friends and not just visitors. These types of experiences evoke the nostalgia of wine tasting in the Napa Valley, the way it used to be, with rustic charm and understated luxury. In fact, the experience at O’Brien Estate is so unique that in November 2023, US News & World Report named it the #1 Destination in Napa Valley.

To mark their 25th Anniversary milestone, among other things, O’Brien Estate is putting together Anniversary and Romance packages for couples looking to rekindle their love. It includes ten bottles of wine with a custom label of the couple’s name, to be opened each year on an anniversary for a decade.

Emily O’Brien (foreground) with Bart & Barb // Photo by Art & Clarity

The Next Chapter

Writing their next chapter of the story, Barb and Bart are somewhat wistful but also thankful, looking ahead to the day when the next generation(s) will carry on with the family business. Their daughter Emily has taken on the role of Director of Operations, handling all day-to-day operations, including marketing, managing the wine club, and customer service-related activities. She also heads the winery’s environmental programs, including its Napa Green Certification and regenerative farming initiatives, thanks to a three-year research grant from the California Land Stewardship Institute.

Through the grant, O’Brien Estate is implementing no-till farming, permanent cover crops, and biodiverse planting to improve the health of the soil and vines. The results of these projects will be shared with every vineyard manager, enabling them to protect Napa Valley and beyond. The project’s motto is “Healthy Vines = Better Wines.”

The O’Briens’ son, Mason, and his wife, Andrea, are not currently involved with the winery, but Bart and Barb have hope that their new grandson, Finn, will take the lead for the next generation to become engaged with the business at the appropriate time.

Meantime, when Barb and Bart are around, look for them on the tasting patio or in the fields. Barb may be hanging around the goats and geese with a glass of wine—and it’s easy to spot Bart—he’ll be the one wearing his signature Panama hat. One thing’s for sure: Barb and Bart O’Brien craft wines as unforgettable as their love story—and they invite guests to create a story of their own.

For more information www.obrienestate.com

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