A Love Letter to Merlot
Every great love story begins with a feeling.
In the 1970s, Dan Duckhorn fell for Merlot in the hills of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, and carried that love home to Napa Valley.
That belief took root at Three Palms, grew across our vineyards, and deepened with time. Trends came and went. Our love for Merlot never did.
Fifty years later, it’s still the wine we come home to.
Here’s to the love stories that last.
From 1976 To Forever
In 1976, Napa Valley was a very different place—quiet, unpolished, and full of possibility. That same year, a young couple arrived with little more than a deep love of wine. Guided by curiosity and conviction, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn set out to craft wines that reflected both their passion and the emerging promise of the valley they chose to call home.
What began in a modest shed on their property has grown into a celebrated community of wine lovers around the world. Over the decades, Duckhorn has helped define the standard for American fine wine, grounded in craftsmanship, shaped by time, and inspired by a relentless pursuit of quality.
Join winemaker Renée Ary for a brief journey through our early days, including personal reflections and stories from our founders. Discover how the spirit that defined our first fifty years continues to guide the next fifty and beyond.