u r t o r y
Helena View Johnston Vineyards is named for the great views of nearby Mt. St. Helena in Napa Valley and Johnston, the last name of our owner and winemaker, Charles Johnston. Margarit Mondavi, Robert Mondavi’s wife, provided her input for the name of the winery.
Charles Johnston is involved in a number of various wine projects, including consulting in China for several wineries. He has a very strong international perspective on wine and various wine regions around the world.
We started building our winery on the edge of a forested hill in 1988, and our first vintage was in 1992. Throughout three decades the winery was a one-man band.
Unfortunately, the winery, cellar and various surrounding buildings on the property completely destroyed in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, also about 30% of the vines were severely damaged or destroyed, but we have worked tirelessly to replant our vineyards first.
We never rest on our laurels and have a pioneering spirit, which is why we also planted a new variety for California, Marselan. These days we are working on rebuilding the winery on the property.
Today, Helena View Johnston Vineyards continues producing exceptional wines, sourcing grapes from the best Californian vineyards, that are beloved by wine enthusiasts around the world.
Our Story
o w I t A l e g a n
Milestones
e h e e D e c d e s o f H i s t o r y
1988
The Beginning
Charles Johnston started building his winery on the edge of a forested hill north of Calistoga, Napa Valley.
1992
First vintage
The winery produces first vintages of the estate Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
1992
Certified Organic
We were among the very first Napa Valley wineries that became 100% certified organic by CCOF and internationally certified. Our commitment to organic farming and sustainable practices is reflected in every bottle of wine we produce.
2017
Tubbs Fire
The winery, cellar and various surrounding buildings on the property completely destroyed in the 2017 Tubbs Fire, also about 30% of the vines were severely damaged or destroyed.
2021
New Varieties in Vineyards
A new variety for California, Marselan, was planted on the estate vineyard.
Marselan is a red wine grape variety that was developed by Paul Truel in France in 1961. It is a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Noir.
2023
Rebuilding
These days we are working on rebuilding the winery on the property, and we continue producing exceptional wines that are beloved by wine enthusiasts around the world.
At Helena View Johnston Vineyards, we have a very forward-thinking philosophy on farming and conservation.
We purchase re-sterilized wine bottles for use, and our estate vineyards are entirely dry-farmed and 100% certified organic by CCOF and internationally certified since 1992.
We believe in making our wines in such a way that they reflect the location in which they were grown. We try to achieve this by experimenting with different types of yeasts and varieties
