About El Molino Winery
El Molino's site was first planted to grapes in 1848, and a winery was built there in 1871 by Colonel W.W. Lyman; hand-dug aging tunnels from 1897 still connect the barrel rooms to the residence above. The original winery closed around 1910 during the phylloxera epidemic and the building stood as a private residence for decades before Reginald and Marie Oliver bought the property in 1978 and revived it as a working winery.
Since Reginald Oliver's death, his daughter Lily Oliver has run the winery, making only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Rutherford-appellation fruit using minimalist techniques, native-yeast fermentation, whole-cluster and foot-treaded Pinot Noir, and estate bottling and cellaring until release.
One of Napa Valley's oldest winery buildings (1871), El Molino still makes just two wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from Rutherford fruit.
What Wino Notion Loved
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Building dates to 1871One of the oldest winery structures in Napa Valley, with hand-dug 1897 aging tunnels.
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Family-run since 1978Reginald and Marie Oliver revived the winery; daughter Lily Oliver now makes the wine.
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Just two wines madeProduction is limited to Rutherford-appellation Chardonnay and Pinot Noir only.
"El Molino is a small, appointment-only, family-owned winery still operating from its restored 1871 building in the Rutherford AVA, producing only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir."
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Featured Wines
CHARDONNAY
El Molino Rutherford Chardonnay
2022 · Rutherford, Napa Valley
Barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Rutherford fruit, reviewed vintage to vintage by Wine Spectator.
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PINOT NOIR
El Molino Rutherford Pinot Noir
2021 · Rutherford, Napa Valley
Multi-clone Pinot Noir made with significant whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts.
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Vintages confirmed via Wine Spectator wine-detail listings for 'El Molino Chardonnay Rutherford 2022' and 'El Molino Pinot Noir Rutherford 2021'; the winery does not publish retail prices online, so current pricing should be confirmed by appointment.
Tasting Experiences
Visit Website →Estate Tasting by Appointment
Private tastings hosted by the Oliver family, Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm, appointment only.
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