Just off the Silverado Trail, where the road curves south of Napa’s Stags Leap District, Reynolds Family Winery sits unobtrusively behind a canopy of oak trees. Behind a modest guest cottage is a story that has taken shape over decades—one of reinvention, resilience, and now, a passing of the torch. There’s no flashy gate or imposing château here—just a family, a vineyard, and a shared commitment to craft.

Steve Reynolds didn’t set out to be a winemaker. For years, he was a practicing dentist. But when he and his wife Suzie bought a rundown chicken farm in the late ‘90s with nine acres of Cabernet vines, something shifted. He left the dental chair behind, dove headfirst into viticulture—taking classes at UC Davis, apprenticing, experimenting—and slowly built a small but devoted following for his expressive, well-balanced wines.

What started as a side project evolved into a deeply personal family business. Today, more than 25 years later, that business is undergoing a quiet but meaningful transformation. Steve’s son Cameron, who grew up watching harvests and hearing cellar talk around the dinner table, is stepping into the winemaking role as a second-generation vintner. His approach brings a new perspective—one that honors the foundation his father laid but looks ahead to where Napa is going, not just where it’s been. “I have so much respect for what my dad built—he poured everything into this place,” said Cameron.

Reynolds Family Winery is best known for crafting well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon from its estate vineyards—including the renowned Persistence Vineyard. However, the portfolio also features expressive Cabernets sourced from Diamond Mountain and Atlas Peak. It also includes Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, and even a sparkling made in the true Méthode Champenoise method.

Reynolds sources fruit from across the valley, yet the estate vineyard—14.5 acres in total—remains its heart. The rows are kissed by cooling breezes from San Pablo Bay, which helps preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes. Steve always said he aimed to make wines that were drinkable now but structured enough to age and that philosophy still guides the winemaking today.

At Reynolds, wine is more than a beverage—it’s a bridge to connection. Here, by-appointment tastings within the Reserve Room are intimate and unhurried. There’s a spring-fed pond, a shaded patio, and a tasting room filled with personal touches. Members are invited to convivial vineyard receptions and thoughtfully curated winemaker dinners, each offering guests moments to engage more deeply with the wines, the land, and the stories they carry. “These aren’t just tastings,” said Cameron. “They’re invitations to be part of something meaningful.”

At the heart of it all is a quiet but essential force: the cellar team. Arturo Irucuta, assistant winemaker, Israel Irucuta, vineyard manager, Julio Andrade, cellar master, and Zandra Irucuta, cellar hand, bring not only skill, but soul to every stage of the winemaking process, from the first light of harvest to the final blend. “Arturo and his family have been a part of our team and lives for almost 20 years,” said Cameron. “Their craftsmanship and collective decades of experience are woven into every barrel, every bottle. It is their dedication that gives Reynolds Family Winery its spirit—and its strength.”

As Cameron steps forward to take the winery reigns, he plans to continue his family’s focus on making honest wine shaped by the land they’ve come to know so well.

“My goal isn’t to reinvent that legacy, but to build on it in a way that feels relevant today,” added Cameron. “I want to honor our roots while creating wines and experiences that speak to a newer generation coming to Napa—people who care about authenticity, sustainability, and stories that feel real.”

As Napa Valley continues to evolve, so too does Reynolds Family Winery. Under Cameron’s care, the next chapter promises to keep one foot grounded in tradition and the other confidently stepping into the future.

For more information www.reynoldsfamilywinery.com