Louis M. Martini Winery

We’re grateful to have celebrated the launch of The Gryphon and this new era of ours with On The Pass! ??

Inspired by our founder, Louis M. Martini, The Gryphon Cabernet Sauvignon weaves together the traditional symbol of Genoa, Italy with three generations of Martinis who have built the legacy of our winery over the past 90+ years. The Martini family pushed the art and science of grape growing and winemaking into uncharted territories, such as applying temperature-controlled fermentation and introducing wind machines in the vineyard to mitigate frost. They helped set the standard for quality and age-ability that has since become synonymous with Napa Valley. Crafted for the table, this wine sets itself apart with varietal character and liveliness that harkens back to the classic Napa Cabernet of the 1960s and 1970s.

At the time of our winery’s founding, Napa was a farming community marked by abandoned vineyards and wineries that halted production during Prohibition. In 1933, Louis M. Martini was one of a handful of vintners in the region who’d largely survived by making sacramental wine. The journey to becoming an AVA would take decades, led by a tight-knit community of vintners who were convinced the region could reach new heights if they worked together to protect and promote its land. ? Our roots in Napa Valley run deep — and we continue to look to our history and our community to inspire our future in the place we call home.

From "Honoring Art in Napa Valley" to "In Napa Valley, a Winery Is Becoming a Work of Art," we're grateful to be the spotlight of these two articles focused on the contemporary art program at Louis M. Martini. Thank you to Napa Valley Register and Artsy for the phenomenal articles that speak to "Two Untitled Maps (An Alchemical Self Portrait)" by Abraham Cruzvillegas! Interested in learning more about the connection between our winery and the arts? Read the articles here: ? Napa Valley Register https://lnkd.in/dkfiQUaV ? Artsy https://lnkd.in/da5HUmew

Six years in the making, we’re thrilled to finally announce the release of The Gryphon Cabernet Sauvignon — marking the return to our classic Napa Cabernet roots and the rollout of our new look in the coming months. Sourced from some of the most coveted vineyards in Napa Valley, The Gryphon expresses the varietal character and vibrancy synonymous with a wine crafted for the table. The fruit was hand-harvested and fermented in small vessels, followed by a 19-month élevage in barrel. The traditional symbol of Genoa, Italy, the gryphon symbolizes wisdom, courage, and leadership, qualities inherent in Louis M. as he built one of the first bonded wineries in Napa post-Prohibition. As our winery grew, so did our family, our community, and our commitment to craftsmanship. Our founder’s son, Louis P., and grandson, Michael, expanded the Martini legacy, combining the art and science of grape growing and winemaking into uncharted territory. “The wines that Louis P. crafted in the 60s and 70s have become benchmarks for the hallmark, classic style of Cabernet that helped define the Napa Valley. The Gryphon is directly inspired by those wines and is the start to a new journey in this world-renowned wine region.” — Zach Watkins, Winemaker

Something new arrives February 3rd...

We were thrilled to celebrate the installation of Abraham Cruzvillegas' new site-specific work, titled "Two Untitled Maps (An Alchemical Self Portrait)," at the winery last week with an amazing meal prepared by his friend, Chef Elena Reygadas. Chef Elena Reygadas is of the renowned restaurant Rosetta in CDMX, where she is known for her ability to craft dishes that tell stories of heritage. She partnered with Louis M. Martini Estate Chef Aaron Meneghelli to source local Napa ingredients to share her perspective on Mexican cuisine.

Our founder, Louis M. Martini, understood that to create the best product, you must uphold the highest standards — a belief he put into practice when creating Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon. Over 70 years ago, while tasting through Cabernet aging in the cellar, he began selecting exceptional lots, choosing ones that showcased the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon’s character and designing them to craft his finest wine. Today, our Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of Napa Valley’s best mountain, benchland and valley floor fruit, sourced from acclaimed vineyards such as Stagecoach and Mount Veeder. The result is a meticulously crafted, age-worthy wine that lives up to Louis M. Martini’s vision.

Time, environment, history, culture, and sensory experience — these concepts are fundamental to both winemaking and art, which is why we created an art program featuring artists whose work engages with these themes. Our latest site-specific art installation is Two Untitled Maps (An Alchemical Self Portrait) by Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas. The two maps, one on our Winery’s fa?ade and one in our tasting room, function as a metaphorical “parenthesis,” encapsulating the interplay between nature and culture. By positioning one map inside and the other outside, the installation invites viewers to traverse and reflect on the space between, mirroring the migratory journeys central to Napa’s identity. https://bit.ly/429VXrH

Although winemaking has always been an art form, our passion for the arts extends beyond the winery. Open Field Poem, a site-specific installation by Rosa Barba at our tasting room, was our first step into the art world — but it’s far from our last. This year, we are proud to put our passion for the arts into action as wine sponsor of the 2025 FOG Design+Art Preview Gala on January 22 at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture. Among the fair’s prominent selection of twentieth-century and contemporary design dealers, winemaker Zach Watkins will discuss the art of blending wine, showcasing how science and creativity unite in winemaking.