Shortly after improvements to their winery in 2020, the Glass Fire unleashed its fury on their beautiful Spring Mountain property claiming the winery and most of the vineyard. Only 5 acres of the renowned Spring Mountain vineyard survived the blaze. To add insult to injury, you can tack on a severe drought in the region and a global pandemic to Newton’s recovery headwinds. Luckily, their vineyards in Carneros, Yountville and Mt. Veeder survived the fires.

Their wines, as noted by many throughout the years, are elegant and complex. The 2017 Beckstoffer Single Vineyard Chardonnay captivated us and the boldness and sophistication of The Puzzle helped us understand why it is often sought out by collectors. Perhaps it is their commitment to sustainable farming or their attention to detail in the cellar that makes Newton’s wines special, what we know is that they are making wines worth seeking.

Finishing up the cleaning of the fire devastation, replanting a vineyard, recovering from the total loss of the 2020 vintage and building a winery all at once might seem like an impossible task, however the Newton team is optimistic about marrying the past and the future. After our visit, it was evident to us by their hospitality, their appreciation for the rich history of the winery and by the wines they are producing that the legacy of Peter Newton will continue to be present in Napa Valley and around the world for years to come.