Businessman Scores Big in Stags Leap District Clos Du Val has woven a rich reputation for creating wines for the wine lover.

Clos Du Val
Napa, California

Through the past four decades, Clos Du Val has consistently upheld its original mission to make distinctive, terroir-driven wines of elegance and balance.

The winery was founded in 1972, two years after American businessman John Goelet sent French-born Winemaker Bernard Portet on a mission to find a new, distinctive terroir to produce world-class wines. Bernard was struck by the Napa Valley, and more specifically, the volcanic soils and moderate climates of the then-undiscovered Stags Leap District. John was in full agreement and purchased 150 acres of land there and named it Clos Du Val, meaning "small estate of a small valley."

Since then, Clos Du Val has woven a rich reputation for creating wines for the wine lover, made to pair with food, to age with strength and grace, in quiet deference to the earth and to Mother Nature. The winery has achieved many milestones along the way, including the distinction of being named Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine four times in five years.

Bernard, who is now considered to be one of the forefathers of the Napa Valley wine industry, leaves today's day-to-day decisions to Winemaker John Clews. Separately and as a team, they continue to make wines that age with grace and style for consumers to enjoy for decades to come.

Despite its esteemed reputation, the tasting room at Clos Du Val has a warm ambience. Outside, there is a demonstration vineyard designed to teach guests about sustainable farming, trellising, wine grapes, and more. The winery's delightful Olive Grove has picnic tables that often need to be reserved on weekends, and there are péntanque (the French version of bocce ball) courts for those who want to linger.

And inside, there are magnificent wines to taste. They are wines that have been crafted—not in hopes of achieving a great score, but in hopes of achieving greatness. Clos Du Val has certainly succeeded at that.

WHAT TO BUY
'06 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon Ripe black fruit, dried herbs, mocha, coffee, toast, black fruit, spice $70
'08 Napa Valley Chardonnay Pear, citrus, tropical fruit, citrus, toast $24
'07 Napa Valley Pinot Noir Raspberry, black cherry, cloves, cinnamon $30

CONTACT
707.261.5251; 800.993.9463
closduval.com
info@closduval.com

TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 10–5
5330 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558

SPECIAL NOTES
Private tastings, private tours, picnic grounds, wine club events, sustainable farming practices.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business Process

The Best Times, Days and Months To Post on YouTube (2023)

When is the best time to post YouTube videos to maximize their effect? Discover the best time to post on YouTube in this detailed guide.

Leadership

From Elite Athletes to Tech Titans — Discover the Surprising $100-Million Habit That Leads to Extraordinary Success

Success comes from mastering focus, eliminating distractions and prioritizing what truly matters.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.