About Gandona Estate
Gandona Estate sits on Pritchard Hill in the Vaca Mountains above Lake Hennessey, on land homesteaded in 1862 and first planted to vines in the 1880s by pioneer growers. Portuguese-born Manuel Pires and his wife Cristina acquired the roughly 116-acre property in 2006, drawn to its steep, mostly dry-farmed hillside terrain above the fog line.
The estate produces about 1,500 cases a year from some 17-20 planted acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay and Touriga Nacional, working for many years with noted winemaker Philippe Melka. Visits are by appointment only, reserved for serious collectors, and typically include a vineyard-overlook walk and a tour of the estate's caves.
Gandona is a 1,500-case Pritchard Hill estate open only to collectors, by appointment.
What Wino Notion Loved
Visit pending, based on winery profile & reputation
✓
Pritchard Hill address, not Rutherford properThe estate sits above Lake Hennessey in hillside terrain near St. Helena.
✓
Portuguese ownership since 2006Manuel and Cristina Pires, originally from Portugal's Douro region, own and run the estate.
✓
By-appointment onlyGandona has no walk-in tasting room; visits are reserved for collectors.
"Gandona is a real, small-production Pritchard Hill hillside estate, an appointment-only winery near St. Helena and Lake Hennessey, not a walk-in Rutherford tasting room."
Visit Pending
Score Breakdown
Ratings will appear after verified reviews
Wine Quality
Not yet rated
Tasting Experience
Not yet rated
Value for Money
Not yet rated
Family Friendly
Not yet rated
Dog Friendly
Not yet rated
Reviews Across the Web
loading...
WN
Wino Notion
Not yet rated Awaiting reviews
G
Google Live
Fetching...
↗
Scores from Google Maps via its official API · Updated every 24 hours · Click any row to view full reviews
Featured Wines
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Gandona Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Current release · Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley
The estate's 100% varietal flagship Cabernet Sauvignon.
Inquire
RED BLEND
Encosta
Current release · Napa Valley
A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend and the estate's highest-production wine.
Inquire
PORT-STYLE
Fraga do Arco
Current release · Napa Valley
A Touriga Nacional Port-style wine reflecting the Pires family's Portuguese roots.
Inquire
Wine names confirmed via gandona.com and napawineproject.com, July 2026; current vintages and pricing are not published publicly and require direct inquiry.
Tasting Experiences
Visit Website →Private Estate Visit
An appointment-only vineyard-overlook walk and cave tour for serious collectors, often hosted personally by Manuel Pires.
By appointment
Photo Gallery
Community Photo Coming Soon
Photos submitted by winery visitors will appear here after review.
Share details from your visit →Recent Reviews from Our Community
No Community Reviews Yet
This winery does not have any published Wino Notion community reviews yet. Be the first to share a recent visit and help other wine travelers know what to expect.
Share Your Experience at Gandona Estate
★★★★★
🔎 Practical Info
🚗 Parking
👶 Good for Kids
🐾 Dogs
💰 Value for Money
🔁 Would You Return?
✨ Vibe & Occasion
💑 Good For (pick all that apply)
🔊 Atmosphere
👗 Dress Code
🪑 Seating (pick all that apply)
🌱 Dietary Options (pick all that apply)
👟 Getting Around (pick all that apply)
More Napa Valley Wineries
All Napa Valley →
Not Yet Reviewed
Gallo Signature Series
California · Napa Valley
Not Yet Reviewed
Gamble Estates
California · Napa Valley
Not Yet Reviewed
Gamble Family Vineyards
California · Napa Valley
Not Yet Reviewed
Gargiulo Vineyards
California · Napa Valley
Not Yet Reviewed
Gemstone Vineyard
California · Napa Valley