Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2021

Shafer Vineyards began in the early 1970s when Chicago publishing executive John Shafer and his family left city life behind to pursue their passion for viticulture in Napa Valley’s storied Stags Leap District AVA. After purchasing a historic hillside estate in 1972 and replanting vines, the Shafer family produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978, laying the foundation for what would become one of Napa’s most iconic wineries. The estate’s rugged volcanic soils and unique microclimate help define the rich, elegant character of their wines, especially the flagship Hillside Select Cabernet Cabernet.

Today, Shafer Vineyards remains deeply rooted in its original terroir even as it evolves with the times, stewarding roughly 240–250 acres of estate vineyards across Napa Valley. The winery has long been associated with family leadership—Doug Shafer served as president and helped shape its winemaking philosophy. At the helm of winemaking now is Elias Fernandez, whose decades-long tenure has helped ensure continuity and quality across the portfolio, earning him accolades including Food & Wine’s “Winemaker of the Year.” Under his guidance, Shafer continues to craft wines of balance, depth, and expressive character that honor the legacy of the Stags Leap District.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from hillside vineyards in Stags Leap District. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. "The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is insanely beautiful. It's also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted here. Bright, pliant and resonant, the 2021 offers a beguiling mix of Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics, generous fruit and gentle structure. The stylistic shift at Shafer has been remarkable—the 2021 is a great example. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, menthol, pine and sweet spice build into the eternal finish." – Antonio Galloni