This year’s Napa visit included multiple winery tastings, but one of our most anticipated was Dunn Vineyards on Howell Mountain. We’ve long enjoyed Howell Mountain wines from producers such as Moone-Tsai, Lamborn, Nickel & Nickel, Davis Estates, and Aonair, yet despite many trips to Napa over the last several years, we had never visited a winery on the mountain itself. Add in three generations of the Dunn family, a beautiful vineyard, and Beau, the wine dog, and this ranks as one of our favorite visits of the trip.
Why Dunn Vineyards
We always have a few wineries on our must-visit list, but we also love discovering new-to-us wineries along the way. Dunn was one of the first visits we requested when we began planning this year’s Napa trip.
Our research typically focuses on smaller, family-owned and operated vineyards producing limited quantities of high-quality wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. We especially appreciate wineries where the family is still actively involved in making the wines and where there is a dedicated winemaker. It’s a narrower list than you might think, but it’s where our hearts (and palates) are.
Dunn quickly made our short list. We loved the family’s story, were impressed by what we’d read about their wines, and had even spotted Dunn on the wine lists at Swift Lounge and Masō back home in Southwest Florida. We were excited to see the vineyard and meet the people behind the wines.
Although Dunn only confirms visits three months in advance, they kindly “penciled us in,” and we marked our calendars to follow up in June. With limited opportunities to visit this family-run estate (they only accept 20 visitors per week), we were glad we’d planned well ahead.
The Drive Up Howell Mountain
Dunn was our first visit on the second day of the trip, so we left Calistoga at about 9:30 a.m. to make the drive from Calistoga to Dunn Vineyards.
The drive was beautiful as it wound up Howell Mountain towards the little town of Angwin. As we ascended the mountain, we were awe-struck by the view – where we literally looked out over the clouds that had settled into the valley. Our pictures do not quite capture what it felt like in person, but this is one of the things we love about morning winery visits in Napa: sometimes the drive itself delivers the first memorable experience of the day.
Photo courtesy of Marla Prior
The road climbed toward Angwin, a small, quiet community centered around Pacific Union College and shaped by its long-standing Seventh-day Adventist community. It felt like a completely different side of Napa—tucked privately into the mountains and far removed from the bustle of the valley floor. Just beyond town, we arrived at Dunn Vineyards.
We pulled up to a striking hand-crafted metal gate with a recognizable DV amidst the scrolled metal work. It was unassuming and artistic at the same time – and we were all so busy admiring it that we neglected to take a single picture. We later learned that the gate had been made by Alex Dunn, the third generation of the family and quite the artist. Beyond it, Dunn looked exactly like what it is: a working winery set amongst a scenic backdrop.
Some Napa wineries can feel a little like Disneyland—grand, polished, and designed to impress at every turn. Dunn offers something entirely different. It is a rustic, family-run winery focused more on the work of growing grapes and making high-quality wine than on creating a showpiece. People clearly both lived and worked on the property, and that sense of authenticity immediately put us at ease.
And then there was Beau…
We drove through the gate and pulled into the parking area. The moment we opened the car door, Dunn’s greeting committee climbed halfway into the car to welcome us.
Beau, the wine dog, couldn’t have been sweeter – partially in the backseat, very scruffy from what we later learned was a morning swim in the pond, and all tail wags and happy greetings. It was the perfect way to begin the visit.
Right behind Beau, we were greeted by our host, Isabel, who was as welcoming as Beau and ready to help us learn all about Dunn Vineyards.
Out in the Vineyard
We began our visit by heading out past the winery toward the vineyard. As we passed the winery, we were greeted by Randy Dunn, the original owner who is still very actively involved in the day to day. He and winemaker, Ted Kizor, were hard at work, but Randy took a few moments to chat before we continued out into the vineyard.
Because we visited during harvest—and the 2026 season was running unusually early—the team was already well into pressing. Bins from that morning’s picking were lined up for destemming and crushing, and most of the grapes had already come off the vines. It gave us a close look at the winery during one of its busiest times of year.
As we explored the vineyard, Isabel shared the history of the property and its wines. Dunn has produced Cabernet Sauvignon on Howell Mountain since its first vintage in 1979. Today, the estate includes about 42 acres of vines planted across several parcels, the highest reaching approximately 2,150 feet above sea level. Its volcanic and Aiken soils help give the Cabernets their distinctive mountain character.
Dunn is best known for its structured, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, produced in relatively small quantities of approximately 4,000–5,000 cases annually. The wines spend about 32 months aging in oak barrels sourced from eight different coopers before the final blending decisions are made.
A Cave Built for Aging Wine
And where do they age their wines, you ask? This is a great part of the Dunn story, too!
In the late 1980s, Randy Dunn received an unexpected message from someone offering to bore a wine cave. He eventually decided to follow up, and the result was a 6,000-square-foot cave that holds three vintages of wine at a time — just the right amount for Dunn.
Interestingly, we learned during our visit that the cave’s natural humidity significantly reduces the amount of wine lost to evaporation during barrel aging. In fact, Isabel told us that the savings were so substantial that the cave paid for itself in just seven years!
Sip Savvy
Why Do Wineries Age Wine in Caves?
Wine caves aren’t just impressive places to store barrels. They offer naturally cool temperatures and high humidity, helping maintain consistent conditions as wines age. High humidity also reduces the amount of wine lost through evaporation from the barrels, sometimes called the angel’s share. At Dunn, where Cabernet Sauvignon spends approximately 32 months aging in oak, those conditions are especially valuable.
As we walked through the cave, we noticed something that made us scratch our heads: Dixie cups.
There, tucked into the bung holes of the empty barrels (the small opening in a wine barrel, typically located on the top of the barrel, used to fill, empty, or sample the wine as it ages), were simple Dixie cups doing the job of much more expensive “bungs” which are usually what plug the bung holes in barrels.
Isabel explained that the Dunns saw no reason to spend extra money on special bungs when an inexpensive Dixie cup fit perfectly and kept dust and other foreign matter out until the barrels were needed again – an inexpensive solution that felt perfectly in character at this working winery.
We couldn’t help but appreciate that kind of practical thinking. Here we were, surrounded by barrels of some of Napa’s most respected Cabernet Sauvignon, and the family was using Dixie cups. It felt perfectly in character with everything we’d experienced at Dunn so far.
At the very back of the cave, we could see the rough marks left when the boring machine reached the end of its excavation, including an artistic rendering made by the cave borer. Rather than covering the wall with shotcrete, the family left it exposed. The unfinished surface preserves a visible piece of the cave’s construction history while allowing moisture from the mountain to help maintain humidity inside the cave.
The Tasting
After exploring the vineyard with Isabel and Beau and touring the cave, we made our way to the tasting room, which has its own history. The building once served as a Western Union stagecoach stop in the 1800s, and when the Dunns first purchased the property, they lived upstairs for several years before building a separate home. Now renovated as a tasting room and offices, it still retains the personality and character of its origins.
As we settled into the tasting room, Isabel poured six wines, two from Retro Cellars and four from Dunn Vineyards.
- Retro Cellars Howell Mountain Syrah 2019
- Retro Cellars Howell Mountain Petite Sirah 2016
- Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
- El Camino 2018
As we tasted, Isabel continued sharing stories about the wines, the family, and the vineyard. Mike Dunn joined us for a little bit and chatted about the family, the business, and the property. We could have spent the afternoon sipping and talking with him, but alas, he had to get back to the work of the harvest.
We were also enchanted by artwork showing the vineyard and its various blocks. And as we commented, we learned that it had been created by Alex Dunn – Mike’s son, who is now involved in the family business. The third generation of Dunns is clearly talented not only in winemaking, but also artistically.
As we tasted, we agreed that the 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was the more approachable of the two young Cabernets. Blackberry and black currant led into hints of herbs, pepper, and graphite. The tannins were polished, the acidity kept the wine fresh, and its rounded texture made it enjoyable even at this early stage, with plenty of potential to develop in the cellar.
The 2022 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon was broader, darker, and more structured than the Napa Valley bottling. Black currant, cherry, dried herbs, and a stony mineral note came through alongside firmer but polished tannins. The wine had greater concentration and grip, making it the more powerful of the two and the one we would be most inclined to give additional time in the cellar.
The 2022 comparison was especially interesting because both wines came entirely from Howell Mountain fruit. Most years, the Napa Valley Cabernet is made from fruit sourced from the Napa Valley floor – from other growers that the Dunns have longstanding relationships with – while the Howell Mountain Cabernet is all estate grown. Isabel explained that extreme heat in 2022 – temperatures on the valley floor reached as high as 119 degrees during one intense week – led Dunn to make its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon without its usual valley-floor grapes. That shared mountain source helped explain the similarities between the wines, even though each had a distinct expression.
Our favorite was the 2013 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. More than a decade of bottle age had softened the wine and added earthy, savory notes of tobacco and leather around its blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. We also noticed the pencil-shaving character we often associate with oak-aged Cabernet. It still had refreshing acidity, substantial but polished tannins, and a long finish—a beautiful example of how well Dunn’s wines can age.
We finished with the 2018 El Camino, Dunn’s reserve wine, made only in standout vintages from select Howell Mountain blocks of older vines. It was rich and concentrated, with dark plum, black cherry, blackberry, graphite, and a touch of dark chocolate. Bright acidity and polished tannins kept it from feeling heavy, and the long finish suggested that it still had many years ahead.
And its name carries a family story – one that we sense is very Dunn: the wine was originally called Trailer Wine after the vineyard parcel where its grapes were grown (where there was a trailer at one point when they acquired the property), but the family eventually decided that they didn’t want customers asking for “that trailer wine”. They renamed it El Camino in honor of Randy’s 1969 Chevrolet El Camino, which he still owns.
A Little About Retro Cellars
In looking at the tasting list, you might wonder about Retro Cellars…we were at Dunn Vineyards, after all!
The first two wines came from Retro Cellars, a separate label created by Mike and Kara Dunn. Although Mike has been involved in the family winery for decades, Retro gave him the opportunity to experience every aspect of building his own wine brand, from winemaking to label development, logistics and beyond.
The wines are made on the Dunn property and aged in a separate area at the back of the cave – right in front of the imprint from the boring machine. While Dunn Vineyards focuses exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon, Retro Cellars explores other varietals, including Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Peloursin.
The 2019 Retro Cellars Howell Mountain Syrah was bold but not overpowering. Blackberry and dark plum were joined by black pepper, herbs, and an earthy mineral note that reflected its mountain origins. Aged with only 20% new French oak, it remained focused on the fruit and savory character rather than the wood. It started out reserved but became more expressive as it sat in the glass.
The 2016 Retro Cellars “Elevation” Howell Mountain Petite Sirah was the bigger and more powerful of the two Retro wines. Blackberry and plum were joined by herbs, pepper, smoke, and a hint of pencil lead. Its 32 months in new French oak added richness and polish, while good acidity and firm tannins kept the wine balanced. It finished long and savory and still seemed to have plenty of life ahead. And we took a bottle “to go” to enjoy later in the evening.
Why Dunn Was Special
There’s something about sipping a beautiful wine on the land where it was grown, surrounded by the family who makes it, that really brings the wine to life. Walking the vineyard, exploring the cave, and tasting Cabernet where it was grown gave us a deeper appreciation for the dedication behind every bottle. Having Mike join part of the tasting made the visit feel even more personal. Meeting two generations of the family as they worked in the winery helped connect the vineyard blocks, the cave, Retro Cellars, and the wines in our glasses.
And, of course, being greeted by Beau, who even made an appearance in the sixth edition of Wine Dogs of California, was a highlight! (Note that this is an affiliate link, so if you choose to get your own fun book of wine dogs, we will earn a small commission.)
This is exactly the kind of family-run winery we love to visit and support. The experience was personal, relaxed, and full of stories, and the wines were exceptional – they really brought the stories to life for us.
If your travels take you to Napa, Dunn Vineyards is well worth planning ahead for. There are so many stories we didn’t have space to share, but that’s part of what makes visiting a winery like Dunn so special. We can’t wait to open one of the bottles we brought home and remember Beau, the Dunn family, and the beautiful morning we spent on their mountain as we sip and share their beautiful wines.
A note about our visit: The stories, winery details, and winemaking information shared in this article reflect what we learned firsthand during our visit to Dunn Vineyards in September 2026. Some details, including vineyard practices, wine production, and visitor arrangements, may vary over time.