Franciscan Estate

California wine with a Napa soul

Franciscan Estate was founded in 1973 by a group of San Franciscans who set out to turn their passion for wine into a business. However, they soon discovered that winemaking was far less glamorous—and far more challenging—than they expected. In 1975, they sold the winery to Justin Meyer and Ray Duncan, the duo who were also launching Silver Oak at the time.

In 1985, Agustín Huneeus took over leadership of Franciscan Estate. Huneeus, who had previously built Concha y Toro into one of Chile’s most successful wineries, revitalized Franciscan by focusing on high-quality grape growing, investing in vineyard replantings and other improvements. Under his guidance, Franciscans’ reputation grew quickly.

That same year, Huneeus—alongside Napa icons Robert Mondavi and Joseph Phelps—spearheaded an ambitious effort to showcase California’s first red wine blends made from the traditional Bordeaux varieties. This pioneering initiative became known as the Meritage Movement and laid the foundation for many of Napa Valley’s acclaimed blends still enjoyed today.

Over the past five decades, Franciscan has earned a reputation for crafting bold, smooth, fruit-forward wines—including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc—that honor its classic roots while appealing to modern tastes. The brand remains committed to flavor-driven elegance, guided by the philosophy of “letting the fruit speak for itself.”

While Napa Valley will always be central to Franciscan’s story, the brand has since evolved into a California-designated winery. This transition allows Franciscan to source from some of the finest growing regions across the state, ensuring both consistency and accessibility while carrying forward its Napa-inspired style and spirit.