David Abreu

About David Abreu

• Third-generation Napa native raised among Rutherford ranchers; St. Helena High School graduate and Vietnam veteran.
• Studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis and spent time in Bordeaux studying vineyard practice.
• Started at Caymus in the late 1970s under Ric Forman and ran ranch operations at Inglenook.
• Founded David Abreu Vineyard Management in 1980 and the same year began developing Madrona Ranch in St. Helena.
• First commercial Abreu wine was the 1987 Madrona Ranch; the 1997 Madrona Ranch earned his first Wine Advocate 100.
• Bought Las Posadas on Howell Mountain around 2000 and replanted the historic Cappella site in St. Helena; acquired a new Thorevilos property in 2019.
• Winemaker Brad Grimes has run Abreu's cellar since 2005; the estate held twelve Wine Advocate 100-point scores as of the 2021 vintage.
• Hired by Screaming Eagle in 2006 to replant its vineyards; returned to Bryant Family as vineyard manager in 2007.
• In March 2024 partnered with Trinchero Family Estates on a new luxury Napa brand using grapes from his four vineyards, starting with the 2024 vintage; Abreu Vineyards remains family-owned.

David's own wines

• Abreu Vineyards · since 1980 (first release 1987)

Where David works today

• Trinchero Napa Valley / Trinchero Family Estates · grape source and brand partner

Estates David has farmed or developed vineyards for

Abreu's company has worked for many of Napa's top estates; these are clients past and recent as reported over the years.

• Screaming Eagle
• Harlan Estate
• Colgin Cellars
• Bryant Family Vineyard
• Araujo Estate (now Eisele Vineyard Estate)
• Staglin Family Vineyard
• Realm Cellars
• Grace Family Vineyards
• Sloan Estate
• Inglenook

Notable wines and scores

• 1997 Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate
• 2013 Abreu Thorevilos Proprietary Red: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate
• 2013 Abreu Madrona Ranch Proprietary Red: 96–100 pts, Lisa Perrotti-Brown / Wine Advocate (one of the issue's 20 extraordinary reds)

Taste David's wines in wine country

Many of these wineries are by appointment only, and some sell only to their mailing lists. Tell us which wines you would like to taste and your chauffeur will book what is possible and build the day around it. See our Napa Valley wine tours and Sonoma County wine tours, or plan a private tour.

Sources

abreuvineyards.com · en.wikipedia.org · grandcruliquidassets.com · wineindustryadvisor.com · winejournal.robertparker.com · winespectator.com