Our Story
Affectionately known to the family as "The Ranch," our estate vineyard is nestled against the Mayacamas Mountains just south of Yountville on Darms Lane. Regarded as the southernmost true alluvial fan of the Mayacamas Range, the volcanic soils and rocky hillside aspects are ideally suited for grape growing.
Fifty-two acres at "The Ranch" are planted to Bordeaux varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc. After decades as growers, we decided in 2017 to embark on a new adventure as vintners, creating a further legacy for the property and the next generation.
We are delighted to share our wines exclusively through our Reserved Allocation and a limited number of tastings. For more information, please reach out to us at info@shifflettranch.com.
Our History
From the late nineteenth century, the ranch belonged to the Darms Family and produced prunes and other fruits. Upon the purchase by Wade and Mary Elizabeth Shifflett, in 1942, horses and cattle were added to the ranch environment. In 1980, Wade Jr., and his wife Olga, and their five children decided to plant grapes. Jeffrey, Kathryn, Michael, Steven, and Mary all helped with the project, but at the same time went off to start their own careers and families.
With the passing of the second generation, the five came back together as the new owners of the property. After much deliberation, they determined to put together a project befitting the heritage and unique setting of the ranch. New plantings of grapes, appropriate for its specific soils and terrain were cultivated. A 1902 olive grove was restored and supplemented with new plantings. New vineyard managers and consultants were brought in, along with on-site family supervision and financial management. Their experience as growers, first with a small number of contracts, and later many more, confirmed the quality of the fruit. Small production lots of wine from a few family members further convinced the partners that the property produced exceptional and uniquely flavored wines. More deliberation and study were undertaken, and a decision was made to proceed with their own label. A custom barn was converted to a small winery and up-to-date equipment was acquired and the SHIFFLETT label was created.
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About Us
Jeffrey Shifflett
Jeffrey graduated from Saint Mary's College and Hastings College of Law, and then received a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University. He helped with the original development of the ranch vineyards in 1981 and further into the 1990's. He started making wine on his own in 1998 under the Shifflett Estate brand and brings extensive experience to the current family project. His two children are also involved in the wine industry.
Kathryn Hoff
Growing up on “The Ranch” was an amazing experience, so much so, that my husband, Paul, and I brought our own family back home in 1979 to raise our five children on the property.
I oversaw the original planting of the vineyards in 1982 and managed the farming operation at the Ranch from 1982 to 1993. As our older children went off to college, I taught math at one of the local middle schools for 20 years. Shortly after retirement, I turned my full attention back to the Ranch, overseeing its financial and day to day activities.
Now that we are expanding beyond just farming grapes to making and selling wine, I look forward to the adventure of meeting travelers from all over the world who come to see our beautiful Napa Valley.
Michael Shifflett
Michael Wade Shifflett, MD, is the third sibling member of Shifflett Ranch and Vineyard. He is married to Susan Ianziti, and they have raised three children, Michael, Augusta, and Jonathan in St. Helena. Dr. Shifflett has practiced orthopaedic surgery in Napa and St. Helena for the past 33 years. When not focused on work or home, they enjoy travel, cycling, and tennis. As he and his siblings have become more involved in the Ranch and in starting the winery, he looks forward to sharing this special place with those interested in The Napa Valley and in our unique wines.
Steven Shifflett
Steven Clay Shifflett, MD, is the 4 th child of Wade and Olga Shifflett. He was born in Napa, grew up and was raised on the ranch. He now lives with his wife Susan in St. Helena. He works as an ER physician and as an addiction specialist. In addition, Steve coaches high school football and has for 20+ years.
Steve and Susan have 2 adult children, Kendall and Kyle. Steve helped start the vineyard project in 1980 and is actively involved with harvest yearly.
Mary Streblow
Mary graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Interior Design. She began her career working for a San Francisco lighting showroom. Her focus became the power of lighting and how it can influence our spaces. She went to work for several Bay Area firms in architectural and landscape lighting design. She then took time off from her career to have a family and raise her 2 children, Tyler and Alexandra, here on the family ranch. When it was time to return to her career, she purchased a lighting distributorship in San Carlos, CA which specialized in reducing energy usage with more efficient lighting products.
Our Winemaker
Sarah Donley, a Midwest native, earned a BS in Enology from Fresno State. Upon graduation she interned at Colgin Cellars and then traveled abroad to Australia to work at Molly Dooker. Returning to the US she was hired full time at Colgin Cellar and was quickly promoted to Assistant Winemaker. After 6 years of working with Colgin she joined Wheeler Farms, the Araujo’s new winemaking project in St Helena, as Winemaker and Production Manager. In 2018 she was named Winemaker at ADAMVS Estate. Sarah now works alongside the Shifflett Family to produce Estate Grown wines from our Family Ranch. She resides in Howell Mountain with her husband-a fellow winemaker at Trinchero Napa Valley and their 2 daughters.
Kyle Shifflett (1997 - 2022)
We dedicate this website to its creator, Kyle Shifflett. Our son, nephew, brother and cousin will forever be in our hearts and minds. We miss you and we will always cherish the wonderful contributions you made to this family.