Nils Venge

Winemaker · Saddleback Cellars · Oakville

Nils Venge made the 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet, widely called the first American wine to earn a perfect 100 from Robert Parker. A Napa winemaker since the early 1970s, he has made wine at his own Saddleback Cellars in Oakville since 1982.

Glass of red wine above an Oakville vineyard at sunset

About Nils Venge

Grew up in Southern California, the son of Danish immigrants who ran a wine and spirits import business.
Earned a viticulture degree from UC Davis in 1967, then served in Vietnam as a Navy reservist before moving to Napa Valley.
Started in Napa in 1970 as vineyard supervisor at Charles Krug, then co-managed vineyards and helped make wine at Sterling Vineyards in the early 1970s.
Ran Villa Mt. Eden in Oakville as general manager and its first winemaker from about 1973; the estate is now PlumpJack.
In 1976 he and his father-in-law bought the Oakville property that became Saddleback Cellars; the winery was built and its first vintage made in 1982.
From 1982 to 1993 he was minority partner, general manager and winemaker at Groth Vineyards, making its first vintage (1982) and its early Reserve Cabernets.
Robert Parker gave his 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 100 points, widely cited as the first perfect score for an American wine.
After 1993 he focused on Saddleback and consulted for many Napa start-ups, including Keenan, PlumpJack, Del Dotto, Moss Creek and Bacio Divino.
In 2007 he co-founded Envy Wines in Calistoga with Mark Carter; his son Kirk Venge is also a Napa winemaker (Venge Vineyards).
Still listed as owner and winemaker at Saddleback, working with associate winemaker Lars Bjorkman.

Nils' own wines

Saddleback Cellars · since 1982
Envy Wines (co-founder, 2007)
Venge (original family label; now run by his son Kirk)

Wineries Nils has made wine for

Consulting relationships change often; these are clients past and recent as reported over the years.

Notable wines and scores

1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville: 100 pts, Robert Parker / Wine Advocate
2019 Saddleback Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville: 94 pts, Beverage Testing Institute (Gold Medal)

Taste Nils' wines in wine country

Saddleback Cellars in Oakville welcomes visitors by appointment. 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

saddlebackcellars.com · napawineproject.com · grothwines.com · winespectator.com · napavalleyregister.com · tastings.com

Taste these wines with Bien

Many of these wineries are by appointment only. Tell us the wines you want to taste and your chauffeur books what is possible and builds the day around it.

Private six-hour tours with your own chauffeur and luxury SUV for up to 6 guests, from $600 plus gratuity. Bottled water and tasting appointments included.

Plan My Wine Tour

Prefer to talk? Call or text 833-915-2436.

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