Dutch Henry Winery

The History of Dutch Henry

When Dutch Henry Winery opened its doors in 1992, the Chafen's dream was to quietly earn a

reputation for quality, passion in winemaking and an easy going approach to sharing their story

with visitors to the winery. The dream has blossomed, and each of the Chafens has participated

in the evolution of a modest winemaking operation into a producer of ultra premium Napa Valley

Wines. In 1999 Dutch Henry Winery was named one of the "top five" wineries to visit while in

Napa by the Wall Street Journal.

Dutch Henry Winery specializes in small lots of Handcrafted wines producing 5,000 cases annually.

Bordeaux varietals dominate and Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced both from the family's hillside

Vineyard just south of the winery and St. Helena Vineyard. Dutch Henry wines are carefully crafted

by owner-winemaker Scott Chafen. Other varietals produced include an estate Syrah, Pinot Noir,

Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Argos (Bordeaux Blend) and a dry Rose.

The Chafen's family roots in Napa Valley were firmly planted in 1986, when Less and Maggie

purchased their first vineyard in Calistoga. They eventually migrated to St. Helena, where they

established Chafen Family Vineyards along the southwest facing slope of Howell Mountain.

There the Chafens planted 22 hillside acres to five clones of Cabernet Sauvignon.

To establish a true sense of place for their wines, the Chafens selected the name Dutch Henry

for their winery. Nearby Dutch Henry Canyon was named after a prospector turned farmer whose

local produce was sold to stagecoach passengers and others who arrived in Napa Valley to

enjoy the fresh country air and natural surroundings. Still always the gentleman, It is rumored

that Dutch supplemented his produce sales as a Highwayman on the historic Silverado Trail.

At the outset, Scott Chafen undertook the winemaking responsibilities at Dutch Henry Winery

and continues to oversee the winery's daily operations.

Winery & Vineyards

Dutch Henry winery produces wines sourced from single vineyards in the Napa Valley. Our

Philosophy is that great wine starts in great vineyards.

Chafen Vineyards

Our Estate Vineyards are CCOF (California Certified Organically Farmed). The Syrah Vineyard

is located at the winery and is part of the newly created Calistoga appellation. Dutch Henry's

2007 Syrah was the first wine bottled under this appellation. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is

currently grown in the St. Helena appellation. Our 1999-2005 vintages were sourced from

our Howell Mtn. vineyard.

Syrah Vineyard (Estate)

Appellation: Calistoga
Acres: 1.78
Clone(s): Estrella River
Rootstock: St. Georges
Planted: 2000
Spacing: 4x6

Cabernet Vineyard (Estate)

Appellation: St. Helena
Acres: 20
Clone(s): 337, 7, 4
Rootstock: 110r, S04, 5c
Planted: 1995
Spacing: 4x6

Wine Cave

"There is a Hobbit in all of us who loves to be Underground," says Scott Chafen with a twinkle

in his eyes when speaking of the winery's decision to have a wine cave built.

Aside from that fundamental subterranean urge, the Chafen family is serious about their

winemaking, energy use, and farming practices. "First and foremost was the quality of wine.

Caves just can't be beat for their consistency in temperature and humidity. We had already

installed solar panels, and a cave was just another way to save energy and reduce our

carbon footprint while providing a year round covered and temperature- controlled working

environment."

The winery worked closely with Vincent Georges, owner of the Cave Company, in designing

and creating their 4,500 square foot cave. Functionality from a winemaking standpoint

was critical, as was the creation of a larger room dedicated for tastings and small gatherings.

The exterior was designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. As a

certified organic farm we planted olive trees on the hillside above the main portal.

Completed in the fall of 2008, the cave looks as if it has always been there. The stonework

on both portals was sourced from the winery's vineyard in St. Helena and a local mason

did the rockwork.

Organic Farming and Sustainability

Here at Dutch Henry Winery we enjoy growing, drinking, and eating things that are organically

farmed. Both our Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah Vineyards are CCOF (California Certified

Organically Farmed).

For almost two decades Dutch Henry Winery has produced an EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

from our organically farmed Olive Orchards. In 2010 our oil was given a Gold medal by the

California Olive Oil council.

Our extensive vegetable gardens are farmed all year insuring exceptional seasonal produce.

In 2004 Dutch Henry Winery added a 16.1 kW solar syste to it's roof. With this system 13.2 lbs

of nitrous oxide and 41,340 lbs of carbon dioxide are offset in one year. Plus 1.6 acres of trees

are spared that would otherwise be needed to absorb CO2 during the year.

Family

Established in 1992, Dutch Henry Winery is owned and operated by the Chafen family. The

family takes great pride in nurturing all aspects of their winery, vineyards, Olive Orchards,

and Vegetable Gardens. The Chafen family has grown grapes in Napa Valley for over 28 years.

The vineyards, orchards and vegetable gardens are all COCF (California Organically

Certified Farm). Their son, Scott Chafen oversees the daily operations of Dutch Henry Winery.

Less Chafen is a Bay Area radiologist, specializing in nuclear medicine and breast imaging

technology. Born in Texas and raised in Virginia, Less is known for his cameo weekend

appearances, heavy pours, killer cave tours, and devotion to the vineyards that are the

foundation of Dutch Henry wines.

Maggie Chafen is married to Less and is the arbiter of style at Dutch Henry. She owns

Dottie Doolittle in San Francisco where the best dressed children take their parents to

shop. A California native and Master Gardener, Maggie is responsible for Dutch Henry's

organic olive orchard and production of the wineries famous extra virgin olive oil. She

also makes sure Less is dressed properly.

DR. Jennifer Chafen is married to Scott. Besides Jennifer holds an MD from Johns Hopkins

and masters in health Policy from Stanford University. When not publishing in JAMA,

consulting for Start-Ups, or just saving lives, Jennifer tends the extensive vegetable

gardens planted at the winery. Every season insures 10 pounds daily of something to eat.

Can you say "Shuck Favas"?

Scott Chafen is the lynchpin of the winery and oversees its daily operation. Like his mother

Scott is also a California native. He is the artistic energy driving the winemaking program

at Dutch Henry.

Dutch Henry Wine Varietals