Neal Family Vineyards

Founded by Mark Neal, Neal Family Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most respected family-owned wineries and a pioneer in organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming. The Neal family’s connection to Napa Valley began in 1966 when Mark’s parents purchased a farm in Rutherford. Growing up alongside the vineyards, Mark developed a lifelong passion for agriculture and viticulture, eventually joining his father in establishing Jack Neal & Son Vineyard Management in 1968. Over the following decades, the family became recognized as leaders in sustainable grape growing throughout Napa Valley.

The winery itself emerged from Mark Neal’s vision of creating estate-grown wines that reflected the character of Napa Valley’s most distinctive vineyard sites. After purchasing vineyard property in Rutherford and later acquiring land on Howell Mountain in 1990, Mark produced his first commercial wine in 1998—a Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. He subsequently built the winery in 1999, laying the foundation for what would become Neal Family Vineyards.

Neal Family Vineyards is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon wines sourced from two exceptional estate vineyards: the Rutherford Dust Vineyard and the Howell Mountain Vineyard. The winery’s philosophy centers on minimal-intervention winemaking, allowing the unique characteristics of each vineyard to shine through. Production remains relatively small, with an emphasis on estate-grown fruit, organic farming, and wines that express a true sense of place.

A defining characteristic of Neal Family Vineyards is its leadership in sustainable agriculture. The family has farmed organically for decades, with vineyards certified organic since 1984. In recent years, Neal Family Vineyards became the first winery in Napa Valley to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® status, further reinforcing its commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Mark Neal is widely regarded as one of Napa Valley’s early pioneers of organic and biodynamic farming practices.

Today, Neal Family Vineyards remains a multigenerational family operation rooted in farming, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Through estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, regenerative agriculture, and a deep respect for Napa Valley’s agricultural heritage, the winery has earned a reputation for producing authentic, terroir-driven wines that reflect both the land and the family behind them.