Charter Oak Winery is a gem of Napa Valley. Like many other wineries in the valley it began as a small family operation. While it's grown since its founding in the early 20th century by Italian immigrant Guido Ragghianti, Charter Oak is still family run, by Guido's grandson Robert Fanucci, who continues to use much of Guido's original equipment and techniques today.
My earliest memories of my grandfather Guido Ragghianti were in the fields and vineyards surrounding his home in St. Helena on Charter Oak Avenue picking and crushing grapes. My first memory of wine was seeing crushed grape s in a large, wooden fermentation tank. I was mesmerized by the color, smell, and taste of the crushed grapes.
My earliest memories of my grandfather Guido Ragghianti were in the fields and vineyards surrounding his home in St. Helena on Charter Oak Avenue picking and crushing grapes. My first memory of wine was seeing crushed grape s in a large, wooden fermentation tank. I was mesmerized by the color, smell, and taste of the crushed grapes.
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Clicking CANCEL or dismissing this will revert the shipping state change and maintain current cart contents. Click OK to proceed with shipping state change and eliminate non-available items from the cart. Very limited and perfectly aged wine to drink with a hearty meal tonight at home with family and friends.
As a Member of our Underground Secret Society Wine Club, you are guaranteed an allocation of our limited, single-vineyard designated, hand-crafted wines. As a Member you receive two 6 bottle wine shipments a year (early April and November). Cancellations must be submitted in writing 30 days prior to your next shipment.
Layla Fanucci is an artist and entrepreneur, renowned for her signature style of cityscape paintings. Topic, the business of ART, follow your passion. Award-winning actress and best-selling author Marlo Thomas encourages people to reinvent themselves and pursue their dreams in her new book It Ain't Over.
The Fanucci's at Charter Oak Winery in St Helena are taking artisan winemaking to a whole new level. A tour and tasting here is such a treat to partake in because Robert Fanucci continues to use 100-year-old winemaking tools given to him by his grandfather, including hand-made Redwood paddles and a manual basket press!
Reviews (16)
Dresden K.
Nov 11, 2021
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This place was the best part of our trip. We stayed the night in the cottages and enjoyed the wine tasting the first day. The wine was quite good and the intention and process they follow can't be found anywhere else in Napa.
I've been to Napa, Sonoma, and Tuscany many times. European vineyards have a heritage while Cali vineyards often push technique where they are lacking in age and generational experience.
I was delightfully surprised to learn their family has been growing and making wine in Napa since 1900. They manually crush their grapes at the end of the season which we heard
I've been to Napa, Sonoma, and Tuscany many times. European vineyards have a heritage while Cali vineyards often push technique where they are lacking in age and generational experience.
I was delightfully surprised to learn their family has been growing and making wine in Napa since 1900. They manually crush their grapes at the end of the season which we heard
Bill Flynn
Sep 05, 2021
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Did a visit at Charter Oak Winery because of the great reviews on Google. For a $100 per person tasting, I expected much more. Wine was average (not great, not bad), tour was OK (not great, not bad), our host was not knowledgeable about the wines (she read the writeups on each wine but had no personal insight on the wines), and the tasting was in an old dated kitchen. The experience and wine tasting might be worth $25 but not $100.
Rosa Lacu
Nov 20, 2018
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Colleen Clayton
Sep 01, 2018
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Charter Oak Winery is in a gorgeous setting in St. Helena. The winery itself is so charming and Layla the owner is so hospitable and knowledgeable about the history of the winery and the wines itself. The small, but mighty, production nicely showcases the love that is poured into the wine. Not to mention it is delicious!! Layla is a world class painter and her paintings are situated throughout the winery.
Splendid experience!!
Splendid experience!!
Joann Mannix
Aug 01, 2018
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Charter Oak Winery is a delightful find nestled back behind the Main Street of St Helena. There are no other wineries in Napa Valley that can compare to its charm and the one on one hospitality and graciousness of owner Layla Fanucci. Her gorgeous artwork of international renown lines the walls. So it is a double pleasure to experience her work while enjoying their amazing family-run wines. Go see Layla and enjoy one of the most unique and fabulous winery visits you can have in Napa Valley.
J. Dennis Henderson
Jul 01, 2018
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My wife and I have visited Charter Oak Winery for each of the last two years (in April) and have been delighted on both visits. Layla is a very hospitable hostess and our time at this winery was a highlight of both trips. The facilities are simple, practical and very welcoming. Kudos Charter Oak Winery!
Gary Willetts
Jun 28, 2018
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I was first introduced to the family of Charter Oak Wines at an event in Sea Island, GA at the beautiful Cloister Resort. It was there and then I had to meet the vintners of an outrageously delicious and balanced 2014 Zinfandel that remains my favorite bottle today. My family and I first met the winemakers, Rob and David Fanucci during their harvesting two years ago. From the moment we arrived, they were welcoming and invited us to help with the process and thus a relationship began. What you learn immediately is this tiny boutique in St Helena is a generational run vineyard that produces world
Karl Davis
Jun 27, 2018
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Our time at Charter Oak was so different than the typical Napa winery tour...it was more like visiting family or dear friends. Layla was incredibly hospitable and the wines we tasted together at her kitchen table were exceptional. I don't know anywhere else you can have this intimate of a tasting. Lastly, Layla's art and the story behind it is enchanting, and we're greatly looking forward to visiting her gallery exhibition in NYC this month.
Amina Mezouar
Jun 27, 2018
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Charter Oak Winery is a unique destination in the beautiful Saint Helena. It's owned by the Fanucci family, who has been making wine on the same property for generations. Robert's delicate and handcrafted wine and Layla's incredible art make wine tasting in this historic landmark one of the kind experience. You will be delighted. Cheers,
Jo M.
Jun 08, 2018
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My husband and I made this our first stop during our first trip to Napa. We stayed 4 hours and didn't bother going to any other winery because we couldn't imagine the experience would measure up. Getting to know the Fanuccis and hearing the history of the house and the vineyard was incredible. It's now our home away from home and the wine is a staple in our house. It's really like no other place you'll ever visit!!
Michael O.
May 30, 2018
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I'm a St Helena resident who has visited many wineries. Charter Oak is my favorite by far. This boutique operation offers a welcome throwback to the days when wineries survived on their merits rather than hyped overpriced tours, amplified music and special events. Charter Oak Zinfandel is quite possibly the best I've ever tasted, period. Third generation owners, Rob and Layla Fanucci, couldn't be more gracious hosts.
Marcia D.
May 29, 2018
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We have had the most impressive tours at Charter Oak Winery.
Layla is so welcoming and talented. The winery itself is so unique.
My husband and I always recommend the tour to our friends..
If you want to see something original and warm and delightful in the Napa Valley you must visit Charter Oak Winery. And the wine is fantastic.
M & H
Layla is so welcoming and talented. The winery itself is so unique.
My husband and I always recommend the tour to our friends..
If you want to see something original and warm and delightful in the Napa Valley you must visit Charter Oak Winery. And the wine is fantastic.
M & H
Ali P.
Apr 30, 2018
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Highpoint of our Napa Valley trip. Small boutique winery run by the Fanucci family. Rob (the husband) and his son David are the winemakers and come from generations of wine makers. Layla (the wife) is an internationally recognized artist and has her gallery there which you get to tour as well. Wine is excellent. Only downside is the rest of the wineries and wines in Napa fall short of your expectations if you start your trip with Charter Oak -- it sets the bar very high. Do Charter Oak last on your trip.
Nancy B.
Jun 21, 2016
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This wnery was part of our San Francisco State University alumni 2016 Napa wine tour. About 60 of us arrived at their charming location and we were broken up into three groups because it's not very big. I'm not even sure they do tours for the public? I think they live here.
The first part of the tour is seeing some of the owner's art work in her studio. Her daughter's Emmy is also displayed so it's kinda cool to see up close.
Next they talk a bit about the wine cellar.
Then you go to another area in the back which is a beautiful kitchen, and we tasted delicious
The first part of the tour is seeing some of the owner's art work in her studio. Her daughter's Emmy is also displayed so it's kinda cool to see up close.
Next they talk a bit about the wine cellar.
Then you go to another area in the back which is a beautiful kitchen, and we tasted delicious
Angella S.
Dec 27, 2014
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NOW THIS IS THE REASON TO GO TO ST. HELENA.
I had the pleasure of getting a private tour from the lovely Layla who is the co-owner of this super eclectic (and historic!) property. Before I even get to the wine, I gotta tell you that when you drive up to the property, it will appear as if you're rolling up to someone's quaint little home. And that's kind of what it is...
Walk into the living room with a grand piano, spectacular city-scape paintings from Ms. Layla herself and good vibes all around. Then step into the den area that's kind of a quasi-converted store, where you
I had the pleasure of getting a private tour from the lovely Layla who is the co-owner of this super eclectic (and historic!) property. Before I even get to the wine, I gotta tell you that when you drive up to the property, it will appear as if you're rolling up to someone's quaint little home. And that's kind of what it is...
Walk into the living room with a grand piano, spectacular city-scape paintings from Ms. Layla herself and good vibes all around. Then step into the den area that's kind of a quasi-converted store, where you
Carlos M.
Feb 28, 2014
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