While shooting photographs for Nathan Chroman’s “Treasury of American Wines”, Jack and Dolores Cakebread casually offer to buy the Sturdivant Ranch in Rutherford. The Sturdivant’s take them up on the offer, and soon the first Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc is planted on AXR1 rootstock.

1972

1974

The initial winery is built pondside after two years of evening and weekend work, and Cakebread Cellars releases its first wine- a 1973 Chardonnay (157 cases total).

With nowhere of our own to crush, we crushed some Cabernet Sauvignon up at Keenan Winery, also helping them to keep their winery permit active.

1975

1976

First Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (’74 vintage) released, and first vintage of Zinfandel (from Las Domingus Ranch on Howell Mtn)

The original winery is enlarged, and Mondavi enologist, Larry Wara is brought on as wine consultant. Also, a drought year, only 9” of rain!

1977

1978

Produced three Cabernets for ’78 vintage: JTL1, Napa Valley, and Lot 2. Steve Kubicki, a high school friend of Bruce, helps with this harvest.

Bruce Cakebread joins the family business full-time as winemaker after graduating from UC Davis. Also, 5 fermenters are installed outside the front barn with refrigeration being hooked up the night before the grapes arrived.

1979

1980

A new winery building, designed by architect William Turnbull, is added, winning awards from the California Architects Association in 1981, the East Bay Architects Association in 1982, and the AIA Wood Council in 1983. It is also the year of the first Rutherford Reserve vintage.

First employee hired, Tod Dexter, stays on for 8 years, and then becomes the winemaker of his own wine label, Dexter Winery, in Morington Penn outside of Melbourne.

1981

1982

Jack Cakebread purchases an adjacent 12 acre ranch and plants Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The winery begins using state-of-the-art neutron probe technology to maximize vineyard efficiency.

1983

1984

Cakebread Cellars begins marketing internationally in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Remodeling the 100-year-old winery home creates a state-of-the-art kitchen and comfortable accommodations for guests and entertaining. Jim May becomes the first resident chef at the winery, while also working in the tasting room.

1985

1986

Dennis Cakebread joins the winery; he’s responsible for finance along with sales and marketing. Julianne Laks’ 1st year as Assistant Winemaker.

Cakebread Cellars hosts the American Harvest Workshop as a presentation of prominent chefs and artisan food purveyors from around the country. Future cellarmaster Brian Lee’s 1st year, fresh out of UC Davis.

1987

1988

The American Harvest Workshop becomes an annual fall event. It is one of the most important (and fun) dates on the Cakebread calendar.

Unknown at the time, but we see vines start to die due to phylloxera. We used a helicopter to dry vines out at harvest due to heavy rains in September.

1989

1990

Jack Cakebread serves as president of the Napa Valley Vintners Association.

We made our first Merlot.

1991

1994

We made our first Pinot Noir and Rubaiyat. Cakebread Cellars completes replanting of all 75 acres of vineyards as a result of damage from phylloxera. 1993 and 1994 vintages of Rutherford Reserve were changed to “reserve” due to the development of sub AVA of Oakville and Rutherford.

We started producing Three Sisters and Benchland Select this vintage. The Cakebread family purchases a 60-acre former apple orchard in Anderson Valley near Boonville and begins developing this vineyard to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

1995

1996

We start buying fruit in Carneros from Foster Road and then Tinsley Ranch.

Phase 3 winery expansion project is completed, and further expansion is possible with the purchase of an adjacent winery and vineyard. Dennis Cakebread serves as president of the Napa Valley Vintner Association.

1997

1998

Purchased 200 acres on Howell Mountain and commenced development of these hillside vineyards into what becomes Dancing Bear Ranch.

Oakville winery facility is completed in time for the 2000 harvest.

2000

2001

The Cakebread family purchases the adjacent 1.7 acre McKay parcel.

Bruce Cakebread becomes President and Chief Operating Officer, and Julianne Laks becomes Winemaker. We make our first vintage of Dancing Bear Ranch.

2002

2003

The 27-acre Foster Road Vineyard (Carneros) and the 40-acre Maple Lane Vineyards (Calistoga) are purchased.

Cakebread Cellars purchases Tinsley Ranch in Carneros, the Cuttings Wharf Road Vineyard, and Suscol Springs Ranch in southeast Napa. Stephanie Jacobs joins the winery as an enologist.

2004

2005

The Supreme Court hears the Granholm vs. Heald case on direct shipping and decides in favor of consumers and free trade. This leads to numerous states passing enabling legislation.

Cakebread Cellars purchases Milton Road property in Carneros. Cakebread family chairs 26th Auction Napa Valley.

2006

2007

The East Addition is completed with tasting areas and lab space.

Cakebread Cellars purchases Arroyo Creek Vineyard. Cakebread Cellars becomes the second winery to achieve Napa Green certification and still holds this certification today.

2008

2009

Dennis Cakebread becomes Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. Our Suscol Springs Vineyard delivers its first commercial crop.

Bruce Cakebread serves as president of the Napa Valley Vintners.

2010

2012

Cakebread Cellars purchases Annahala Vineyard in Anderson Valley. Planning starts for the new parking lot and North Addition to relocate the bottling line and add storage space, along with new visitor facilities.

Cakebread Cellars celebrates its 40th anniversary

2013

2017

Stephanie Jacobs becomes head winemaker for Cakebread Cellars, becoming only the fourth winemaker in the winery’s history.

Cakebread Cellars receives the California Green Medal Award for its commitment to sustainability. The winery’s organic garden also achieved Bee Friendly certification. The Suscol Mountain Vineyard was certified fish friendly in 2018; all of the Cakebread owned vineyards are now certified fish friendly.

2018

2019

The winery completed construction on the new eco-friendly visitor center, winning Robb Report’s 2020 Best of the Best wine tasting experience. The 2016 vintage of Dancing Bear Ranch was awarded 100 points by Wine Advocate.

Dolores and Jack celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary and both of their 90th birthdays. Dolores passed away peacefully later this year.

2020

2021

Cakebread Cellars releases the first vintages of the Suscol Springs Cabernet and Cabernet Franc.