Winery History
A Storied Heritage, An Enduring Commitment
A Napa Valley Original
Freemark Abbey's legacy began with Josephine Tychson, one of California's first female vintners, who established our estate in the heart of St. Helena. Through her vision and that of the pioneering winemakers who followed her—along with the recognition earned at the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris—our wines have consistently set the standard of excellence in Napa Valley.
Today, we remain steadfast in our commitment to classically structured wines that reflect both the land and our unwavering dedication to quality. Our winemaking philosophy has never wavered: to honor tradition while embracing the progressive spirit that defines our history.
A History of Firsts
1886
"An intrepid widow often seen riding side saddle through the countryside," Josephine Tychson built and operated the original redwood cellar on our estate. She produced Zinfandel, Riesling, and “Burgundy” wine, making her one of the first recorded female winemakers in Napa Valley.
1898
After phylloxera devastates the vineyard, Josephine sells the property to her foreman, Nels Larsen, who later sells it to her close friend, Antonio Forni. Forni renames the winery Lombarda Cellars, after his birthplace in Italy. In 1899, he constructs the stone winery using hand-hewn stones from nearby Glass Mountain. This historic structure still stands today and is used for barrel storage.
1939
The winery is closed for twenty years during prohibition, until three businessmen from Southern California, Charles Freeman, Marquand Foster and Albert “Abbey” Ahern, purchased Lombarda Cellars and combined their names to reopen the winery as Freemark Abbey.
1949
Freemark Abbey opens a “Sampling Room,” as tasting rooms were first called, becoming one of the earliest Napa Valley wineries to offer visitors a chance to sip and savor its wines.
1967
Freemark Abbey’s signature style of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon is introduced after seven partners purchase the winery and elevate its production and reputation. The partners—Dick Heggie, Brad Webb, Bill Jaeger, Frank Laurie Wood, Jim Warren, Chuck Carpy, and John Bryan—earn the winery the nickname "University of Freemark" for its role in producing a who’s who of notable winemakers.
1970
The first vintage of Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché is produced, making it one of California’s earliest vineyard-designate wines. Today, it remains one of the winery’s most coveted Cabernet Sauvignons.
1971
Five years before the famous Judgment of Paris tasting, a group of top-level tasters holds a competition between the finest French Bordeaux and California Cabernet Sauvignons. The 88 group members award top honors to Freemark Abbey’s Cabernet Bosché, followed by the 1970 Château Lafite-Rothschild.
1976
Freemark Abbey is one of 11 American wineries selected to participate in the historic Judgment of Paris tasting of 1976—the only winery with both a red and white wine chosen to compete.
1980
Freemark Abbey sources its first vintage of grapes from the Sycamore Vineyard. Located on the Rutherford Bench, this biodynamically farmed vineyard has been a cornerstone of Freemark Abbey’s wines ever since.
1985
Ted Edwards is named Freemark Abbey’s winemaker, beginning one of the longest-tenured winemaking careers in Napa Valley. His leadership ensures the continuity of Freemark Abbey’s classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon.
1989
“The truest embodiment of Rutherford-style Cabernet,” remarks Wine Spectator on Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché. Critic James Laube praises its “elegance, depth, and longevity.”
1995
Again, Wine Spectator calls Freemark Abbey Cabernet Bosché “a Napa Valley original,” praising its “elegance and finesse” and dubbing the vineyard “a special spot.”
1996
The New York Times recreates the Judgment of Paris tasting to mark its 20th anniversary. Wine critic Frank Prial writes that his favorites were topped by Freemark Abbey.
2006
The Jackson family purchases Freemark Abbey, bringing the winery back under single-family ownership. Historic renovations begin to preserve its legacy.
2016
The renovation is completed, preserving the century-old historic stone building while introducing modern updates. That same year, Freemark Abbey is selected by the NFL to produce its first and only wine to commemorate Super Bowl 50. The Fiftieth Reserve, a 2013 Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red wine, is sourced from Spring Mountain.
2017
Freemark Abbey takes first place with its 1969 Cabernet Sauvignon at the Judgment of Tokyo, a reenactment of the 1976 Judgment of Paris.
2020
Kristy Melton is named Winemaker for Freemark Abbey. Ted Edwards celebrates his 40th harvest and transitions to the role of Winemaker Emeritus.
2021
For the first time in nearly 40 years, Freemark Abbey introduces a new single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate-owned Colline Vineyard is located in the southern end of the Oakville AVA, near the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. With dark fruit aromas, a rich palate, distinct graphite character, and excellent aging potential, Colline Cabernet quickly becomes a standout addition to the Freemark Abbey portfolio.
2023
Ted Edwards retires from his role as Winemaker Emeritus, passing full winemaking responsibilities to Kristy Melton.
A Toast To the Future
As we celebrate our 140th anniversary in 2026, the pioneering spirit of 1886 remains the guiding principle for our future. We honor our profound heritage not by standing still, but by continuously advancing the craft of winemaking. Under the masterful direction of winemaker Kristy Melton, our team embraces the evolution of our art through sustainable practices, precision techniques, and a deep commitment to expressing the unique character of our historic sites. This synthesis of past and future ensures our legacy is not only preserved but enhanced for generations to come. We invite you to discover what lies ahead for Freemark Abbey.
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