Napa's Next Great Generation
The California Wine Country's top experts share a glimpse of Napa Valley's future as they see it.
As originally published in The Club Magazine Volume 1, Inside The World of Exclusive Resorts. Photography by Lauren Segal.
It was a pivotal moment — the 1976 Judgment of Paris blind tasting pitting the American underdogs against Europe’s most respected Old World winemakers — and the results were nothing short of groundbreaking: Napa Valley wines claimed a historic victory in both the white and red categories. The upset surprised everyone except the winemakers behind the breathtaking California-grown winners. Half a century later, that monumental triumph remains at the root of nearly all that Napa Valley has become, even as a whole new generation of winemakers takes the mantle. Some are newcomers, arriving with fresh eyes and bold ideas, lured by the successes of their predecessors; others are loyal stalwarts of the region’s firmly established traditions. Each of them has a clear yet distinct perspective on what the next 50 years hold for the land of the great American wine — and all of them agree that Napa is just getting started.
CARLTON J. MCCOY JR. | Master Sommelier and CEO, Lawrence Wine Estates
Now that our reputation as a great wine region is solidified, our next step is to take a deeper dive into our unique terroirs. In the 1990s, there was an inclination to produce a uniform style — riper and more extracted — to appease critics who preferred that style. However, the current tone in the valley is a return to the balanced wines of the 1970s, which helped establish our initial reputation and have proven to be the most age-worthy. From this movement, we’ve discovered more high-pedigreed terroirs that were previously ignored. To Kalon, for instance, is an excellent vineyard in a region renowned for exceptional sites.
In the U.S., because of looser restrictions, we can evolve more rapidly than other international wine-growing regions. The younger generation here is emphasizing natural farming and winemaking and crafting wines that counter the uniformity of the past 30 years. In 50 years, there will be greater diversity in wine styles to best express our terroir — more experimentation and more questions than answers.
JEAN-CHARLES BOISSET | Proprietor and President, Boisset Collection
Over the next 50 years, Napa Valley will gain an even deeper understanding of our terroir — like Burgundy did over the course of a thousand years — but we already have global knowledge paired with California’s optimism and American entrepreneurship. We’re accelerating with wines that are more vibrant and more inspirational than ever.
But Napa’s future isn’t just wine. It’s art, fashion, and hospitality. It’s sculpture, digital installations, and culinary diversity. We’re elevating culture and engaging people in multidimensional ways. Napa will be known as much for its festivals, wellness, and creativity as its Cabernet. And food! While the icons — Bouchon, The French Laundry, Bistro Jeanty — may evolve, Napa’s future lies in culinary diversity: Persian, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, French, and Italian. That global table will reflect the region’s cosmopolitan energy and attract the next generation of tastemakers.
We’re also pushing beyond sustainability. Biodynamics, lunar calendars, and polyculture — Napa will become an extension of Mother Nature. It will be the world’s most complete region: wine, food, art, tech, and consciousness combined.
As for grand cru and premier cru designations? Vineyard specificity matters, but so does the art of the blend. Cabernet is still king — and queen! — and it’s getting better.
Napa’s spirit is reinvention. Each generation seeks more excitement and meaning. We’ve only scratched the surface. I’m bullish. I’m optimistic. Napa’s next chapter will be the most thrilling yet.
MATT CRAFTON | Winemaker, Chateau Montelena Winner, Judgment of Paris White Wine Category
I think the Judgment of Paris remains significant because it’s a story that still resonates from a fundamentally human standpoint. It’s a David vs. Goliath event. And to win against Goliath, the strategy is not to play by the established rules. The Judgment of Paris recognized the importance of innovation, of questioning the conventional model, and being daring enough to try something new. That spirit is still part of our DNA.
It’s a tremendous responsibility — but maybe surprisingly, it doesn’t feel like a heavy burden. The same sense of independence, creative freedom, and daring that built Montelena still drives what we do. I feel very blessed to be part of something so classic, yet so dynamic.
Looking ahead, Napa has every reason to remain aspirational. The combination of terroir, talent, and wealth will continue to drive innovation in wine quality and sustainability. But success is fragile and must be earned every day. The greatest threat is regulation that unintentionally harms the very people it intends to protect. It was that ossified environment in Europe that made the Judgment of Paris not only possible, but necessary. Napa is the gold standard — if we can keep it.
Decanted Privileges | At Chateau Montelena, Exclusive Resorts Members enjoy private tastings of rare library vintages and current releases, plus preferred pricing on all bottle purchases.
MARCUS NOTARO | Senior Director of Winemaking, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Winner, Judgment of Paris Red Wine Category
The legacy of our first commercial vintage — recognized globally after the 1976 Judgment of Paris — remains both an inspiration and a reminder: Quality has always defined Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. After the tasting, many asked what the secret was. The truth? There was no secret — only extraordinary vineyards. Our role today is to honor that legacy by crafting wines of uncompromising quality that speak clearly of place.
Napa Valley is a remarkable region for grape growing, with great diversity in soils, microclimates, and topography. Yet it’s still young in the context of global winegrowing, and we’re in the midst of an exciting evolution. Growers are embracing more precise and sustainable practices. One of the biggest challenges is managing late-season heat, and we’re seeing innovations, from shade cloth and NDVI satellite imagery [to monitor vine health and density] to experimenting with Cabernet franc.
Looking ahead, I hope consumers come to appreciate the diversity of expression across Napa’s sub-appellations. The future isn’t just about making great wine; it’s about celebrating the unique identity of each place.
JILL AND STEVE MATTHIASSON | Co-owners and Vintners, Matthiasson Wines
Fifty years from now, Napa Valley will be more beautiful than ever. Organic and regenerative farming will be the norm, with hedgerows lining every fence and stream, alive with birds, insects, and wildflowers. Monarch butterflies will drift from vine to vine — Cabernet Sauvignon to Ribolla Gialla to Chardonnay — before returning to rest on the blossoms at the vineyard’s edge.
Cabernet Sauvignon will still shine, alongside Cabernet franc and Merlot, but a new generation of winemakers will bring fresh perspectives and broader styles. And with a deepening understanding of soil and climate, we’ll see a wider range of red grapes planted where they grow best.
White wines will come back to the forefront — Chenin Blanc in Carneros, Vermentino in Calistoga — and the valley will once again be celebrated for both reds and whites.
Most importantly, the land will still be in the hands of families. Large vineyards will have given way to small farms once more, tended by passionate growers shaping the future like the pioneers of the past.
Napa has always belonged to dreamers. That won’t change. The wines will evolve, the landscape will flourish, and the love of the land will carry on.
WHERE TO STAY: CARNEROS RESORT & SPA
Nestled among Napa Valley’s rolling vineyards, Carneros Resort & Spa is home to four three- and four-bedroom Exclusive Resorts residences. The recently renovated homes feature chef’s kitchens, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and expansive terraces and rooftops for entertaining.
Spread over 28 verdant acres dotted with quaint cottages and flowering gardens, the resort blends farmhouse style with contemporary amenities, including a spa and three restaurants spotlighting the local bounty of Northern California. The adults-only pool overlooks the neighboring vineyards, while complimentary bicycles offer an opportunity to explore the region more closely. Pack a picnic lunch from Market, the resort’s gourmet shop, and enjoy a picnic among the vines, or taste the best of Napa Valley’s wines (and spirits) right at home with a curated flight at the Post Tasting Room.
WHERE TO STAY: THE INK HOUSE
This grand retreat — a recent addition to The Club’s Residence Collection — is set among the vineyards of the Boisset Collection. The two-story Victorian landmark was built in 1885 by Theron H. Ink, a gold prospector and one of California wine country's earliest settlers. During the 1960s, it served as a home for Elvis Presley during the filming of Wild in the Country. In 1985, the estate was recognized by the National Park Service and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, The Ink House has been reimagined as an exclusive-use residence with four bedrooms — each drawing inspiration from a different moment in its illustrious history (including the subtly decorated Elvis Room). Personal concierges can help arrange intimate tastings with local winemakers and other private events, taking advantage of the estate’s 1.25 private acres surrounded by wildflowers and vines.
Decanted Privileges | An Exclusive Resorts partner, the Boisset Collection offers Members private tastings, Champagne brunches, and library flights across its storied estates — a perk usually reserved for wine club members only.
