Markham Napa Valley Vineyards

Markham Vineyards traces its origins to 1874, when French-born vintner Jean Laurent began making wine in Napa Valley, becoming one of the region’s earliest pioneers. Drawn to California during the Gold Rush, Laurent ultimately recognized Napa’s far greater promise for viticulture. By 1879, he had constructed the winery’s iconic stone cellar—built from local rock quarried at Glass Mountain—which still stands today as one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Napa Valley. From these early beginnings, Laurent established a legacy rooted in craftsmanship, resilience, and a deep connection to place.

Following Laurent’s death in 1890, the winery passed through several chapters—operating as a cooperative, enduring Prohibition, and evolving alongside Napa Valley itself through the 20th century. By the mid-1900s, the property had become part of the St. Helena Cooperative and later Allied/Inglenook, reflecting the shifting structure of the American wine industry. Despite these transitions, the historic cellar remained a constant, quietly anchoring the site’s continuity through decades of change and challenge.

A new era began in 1977, when Bruce Markham purchased the property and reestablished it as a modern Napa Valley winery. Just one year later, Markham produced its first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978, followed by its first Merlot in 1980, helping to pioneer what would become a defining varietal for the winery. Under Markham’s vision – and later through continued investment, long-standing leadership, and sustainable vineyard practices – the winery evolved into the estate it is today: stewarding more than a hundred acres across Napa Valley and remaining deeply committed to producing expressive, vineyard-driven wines.