- Markham Vineyards
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Markham Vineyards Location St. Helena, California, USA Appellation St. Helena AVA Formerly Laurent Winery Founded 1978 Key people Bryan Del Bondio, President
Kimberlee Nicholls, Winemaker
James W. Coughlin, Jr.Associate WinemakerParent company Mercian Corporation Varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc Tasting open to the public Website http://www.markhamvineyards.com 
Markham Vineyards
Markham Vineyards is a winery founded in Napa Valley, California, in 1874. Markham has operated continuously since its founding (though under different names), making it the fourth oldest continuously operating winery in Napa County.
Contents
History
Markham Vineyards was founded by Jean Laurent, an immigrant from the Bordeaux region of France, who arrived in California in 1852 as part of the population influx that resulted from the California Gold Rush. Recognizing that suitability of the Napa Valley land for winemaking, he founded his winemaking operation in 1874.[1] Laurent and his vineyards rose to prominence during the 1880s, when wines produced in California began distribution to major population centers on the United States’ East Coast.
Jean Laurent died in 1890, after which his winery continued to operate successfully under a succession of owners until 1978. That year, vintner Bruce Markham purchased Laurent’s winery and – combining it with vineyards in nearby Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga, California – founded Markham Vineyards. Markham’s purchase drove annual production of the Laurent vineyard from 3,500 cases to roughly 20,000 cases over the following decade.
In 1988, the former Laurent Winery was sold to Japanese wine and spirits producer Mercian Corporation, who commenced a four-year, multi-million dollar renovation, expansion and vineyard replanting program on the Markham properties. These efforts more than doubled the capacity of Markham Vineyards.[2]
Vineyards
Markham’s Napa Valley properties encompass 350 acres of vineyard that are located in several of the area’s most fertile growing regions, most notably the areas that border Mt. St. Helena around the Calistoga, Yountville and Oak Knoll communities. The brand has consistently engaged the counsel of industry experts to maximize the potential of its locations, an effort that has led to the incorporation of myriad grape varietals that thrive in the area’s diverse microclimates.
Wines
Markham Vineyards produces wines in the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay families. It has historically been known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, though its Merlot, introduced in 1980, has subsequently become the brand’s flagship varietal.
Awards and recognition
Markham Vineyards wines have received numerous industry-sanctioned awards and designations, including three number-one rated wines from California as judged by the editorial staff of Wine Spectator magazine: The Markham 1991 Sauvignon Blanc, the Markham 1990 Merlot and the Markham 1989 Chardonnay.
Additional recognition includes the following designations:
- Markham 2006 The Philanthropist - 93pts Wine Enthusiast, June 2010
- Markham 2006 The Altruist - 93pts Wine Enthusiast, June 2010
- Markham 2006 The Altruist Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts Wine Spectator, May 2010
- Markham Merlot - #21 Most Popular Wine by the glass - Wine & Spirits 21st Annual Restaurant Poll, April 2010
- Markham Cabernet Sauvignon – #7 Most Popular Cabernet Sauvignon - Wine & Spirits 21st Annual Restaurant Poll, April 2010
- Markham Vineyards - #24 Best Selling Winery - Wine & Spirits 21st Annual Restaurant Poll, April 2010
- Markham Vineyards - #30 Best Selling Winery – Wine & Spirits 20th Annual Restaurant Poll, April 2009
- Markham 2006 Merlot - “Wine of the Week” St. Helena Star
- Markham 2005 Merlot - 91pts NatDecants.com, May 2009
- Markham 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – “New Napa Cabernet’s Worth Seeking…the kind of wine you should consider buying by the case.” Wine Spectator Online, June 2008
- Markham 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon - 90pts Wine & Spirits, February 2006
- Markham Merlot - #4 Most Popular Merlot - Wine & Spirits 20th Annual Restaurant Poll, April 2009
The Markham Mark of Distinction Grant Initiative
In 2008, Markham Vineyards created the Mark of Distinction, a charitable effort that awards two $25,000 grants per year to organizations or individuals that work to cultivate positive change in American communities.[3] To complement the grant program, Markham annually produces two single-vineyard, limited production Estate Cabernet Sauvignon wines – The Philanthropist and The Altruist – in honor of the grant recipients. These wines feature labels that highlight each grant recipient’s work.[4]
Recent Mark of Distinction Grant recipients have included Long Island Sled Hockey, a sled hockey program for physically and mentally handicapped athletes; the Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in Geneva, Illinois; and the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, Kansas.
External links
Media related to Markham Winery at Wikimedia CommonsNotes
- ^ Hill, Kathleen & Gerald. Napa Valley Land of Golden Vines. The Globe Pequot Press, 2005, p. 165.
- ^ Napa Valley Vintners [1], August 9, 2011.
- ^ "Markham Vineyards Is Out To Promote Community Change", Spotlight's Wine Country Guide, April 21, 2011, accessed August 8, 2011.
- ^ Arnn, Rebecca. "Markham Vineyards Is Out To Promote Community Change"], Sacramento Wine Examiner, July 14, 2011.
Categories:- Napa Valley wineries
- Companies established in 1978
- Companies based in Napa County, California
- Winery stubs
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