J. Schram Victorian house and formal front gardens, circa 1875
J. Schram Victorian house and formal front gardens, circa 1875

History

Schramsberg’s history dates back to the 19th century, when German immigrant Jacob Schram first made his home and started his winery on Diamond Mountain.

Over one hundred years later Jack and Jamie Davies would restore the Schramsberg estate in 1965. They set out to produce sparkling wine – specifically, “America’s most prestigious, select and admired sparkling wine; chosen for special guests, special gifts, pampering one’s self and expressing one’s taste in unique products.” Through the decades, this spirit of innovation earned Schramsberg and the Davies worldwide praise and recognition.

Schramsberg has also played a role in world history. The Blanc de Blancs was used for President Nixon’s 1972 “Toast to Peace” with China’s Premier Zhou Enlai (see timeline). Schramsberg’s sparkling wines have been served at official State functions by every U.S. Presidential administration since.

Schramsberg Timeline

Davies Family Era Previous Slide
  • Hugh Davies as a young vintner in 1999, kneeling by vines at Schramsberg in 1999.

    2000

    Hugh Davies becomes Head Winemaker.

  • Wedding photo of Hugh and Monique Davies kissing under a red umbrella in the olive grove.

    2004

    First vintage of J. Davies Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon (2001) released. The wine is named in honor of Jack Davies. The Davies family chairs the Napa Valley Wine Auction. Hugh Davies marries Monique Nelson in the olive grove on the estate.

  • Hugh Davies and his mother, Schramsberg matriarch Jamie Davies, pose in front of wine barrels at the winery in 2005

    2005

    Hugh is named as CEO/President of Schramsberg Vineyards and Jamie remains chairman.

  • Schramsberg 1998 J. Schram Rosé label

    2006

    Debut of J. Schram Rosé (1998) released September 15. New production building is completed. Sean Thompson is hired as Assistant Winemaker.

  • Guests strolling on Schramsberg's front walk and into the visitors center entrance

    2008

    New Visitor Center is completed.

  • Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards' Napa Green Certified Land and Napa Green Certified Winery Certificates

    2009

    Schramsberg Vineyards receives final certification under both the Napa Green Winery program and the Napa Green Certified Land program.

  • McEachran Vineyard with solar panels in the background at Schramsberg.

    2010

    Schramsberg Vineyards installs 315 kilowatt-hours solar array consisting of 1,655 panels.

  • The Hugh Davies family in vintage German costume for Schramsberg's 150th Anniversary

    2012

    Schramsberg Vineyards celebrates the 150th anniversary of Jacob Schram’s founding of the property.

  • Hugh and Monique Davies and their three sons strolling through wrought iron gate of the historic Victorian house

    2015

    Schramsberg Vineyards celebrates the 50th anniversary of Jack & Jamie Davies revival of the property.

  • Exterior of the Davies Vineyards hospitality facility in St. Helena, California

    2017

    Sean Thompson is promoted to Director of Winemaking. The Grayson Building is opened in St. Helena, providing a new location to taste Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards wines.

  • Davies Solar Panels

    2021

    Installation of a 137 kWh array at the Davies Vineyards property in St. Helena, as well as adding an additional 149 kWh of production at the Schramsberg array.

Next Slide
Jack & Jamie Era Previous Slide
  • Dedication of the state historical landmark plaque for Schramsberg Winery on December 31, 1956

    1957

    Schramsberg is declared a Historical Monument by the California Historical Society under ownership of the Pringle family.

  • Jack and Jamie Davies as a young couple in 1969 at Schramsberg

    1965

    200+ acre Schramsberg property purchased by Jack and Jamie Davies, who had moved from Los Angeles with young sons Bill and John to the Napa Valley. First bottling of wine under the Davies proprietorship of Schramsberg Vineyards and Cellars. Hugh Davies, youngest son of Jack & Jamie, is born the month after the family takes ownership of the winery.

  • Schramsberg 1967 Blanc de Noir Napa Valley wine label

    1967

    Schramsberg produces vintage dated Blanc de Noirs of Pinot Noir grapes, an innovation in the United States.

  • Color lithograph of vineyard and mountain in the Napa Agricultural Preserve

    1968

    Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve established. Jack Davies helped spearhead the passage of the nation’s first such agricultural preserve.

  • February 24, 1972 Washington Post newspaper clip on r the

    1972

    Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 1969 served at the State dinner “Toast to Peace” hosted by President Richard Nixon for the Premier Zhou En-lai in Beijing, China, marking the first time Schramsberg or any American wine is served at any White House or State event, at home or abroad.

  • Schramsberg 1975 Reserve

    1980

    Schramsberg Reserve introduced: vintage dated, aged on the yeast 4 years before disgorging, yet another innovation in the United States.

  • Exterior of the McEachran house on the Schramsberg property, circa 1985

    1985

    Nineteenth-century, 20-acre McEachran Winery Estate (contiguous with Schramsberg) purchased, reuniting under single ownership these two historical California properties.

  • Schramsberg's 1987 J. Schram 50th Anniversary sparkling wine

    1987

    Schramsberg produces first vintage of the J. Schram tête de cuvée made from Chardonnay grapes. Sourcing of grapes from cooler coastal sites for sparkling wines begins in earnest. First non-Napa fruit used at Schramsberg.

  • Cluster of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on the vine at Schramsberg Vineyards

    1994

    The replanting of the winery’s historic Diamond Mountain property to Cabernet Sauvignon and the red Bordeaux varietals begins.

  • James Beard Foundation Medal of Excellence

    1996

    Jack and Jamie presented with James Beard Foundation’s National “Outstanding Wine and Spirits” Award. Hugh Davies joins Schramsberg as the Enologist full time.

  • Jack Davies, Schramsberg's patriarch,circa 1998

    1998

    Jack Davies passes away and Jamie becomes Chairman of the company. The Jack L. Davies Napa Valley Agricultural Land Preservation Fund established. The first “Sparkling Wine Symposium” is offered for members of the trade. This will eventually be renamed as Camp Schramsberg and opens up to consumers as well. Schramsberg Vineyards placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Jamie Davies, Schramsberg's matriarch, circa 2008

    2008

    Matriarch Jamie Davies passes away. The oak grove in the lower vineyard is dedicated as “Jack and Jamie’s Grove.”

Next Slide
Jacob Schram Era Previous Slide
  • Jacob and Annie Schram's first house at Schramsberg, circa 1862

    1862

    Jacob Schram purchases 200+ acre Mt. Diamond property from the government and begins development of Napa hillside vineyards. His son, Herman Adolph Schram is born.

  • Three cellar workers standing in front of the Schramsberg wine caves entrance, circa 1870

    1870

    Schramsberg has 30,000 vines. Chinese laborers dig Napa’s first hillside caves for wine-aging and storage.

  • Author Robert Louis Stevenson around the time of his visit to Schramsberg in 1880.

    1880

    Author Robert Louis Stevenson visits Schramsberg. Descriptions of his stay are recorded in his book, Silverado Squatters. Schramsberg produces 8,403 cases of wine from 50 acres of vines.

  • Vintage Image of Schramsberg Caves

    1881

    Construction for a second set of cellar tunnels begins. In the past 17 years, Schramsberg winery has pressed 87,237 cases of wine.

  • Historic J. Schram Victorian house with formal front gardens, circa 1875

    1889

    The Schram Victorian mansion with stately veranda completed on vineyard site.

  • Vintage label on Schramsberger Burgundy made by Jacob Schram. circa 1891

    1890

    Schramsberg produces 540,000 lbs of grapes (approx. 28,361 cases of wine) from 100 acres of vines.

  • The Jacob Schram family sitting on the veranda of the Schramsberg Victorian house in 1890

    1891

    Wines produced at Schramsberg listed as Zinfandel, Sauvignon Vert, Burgundy, Hock, Sauterne and Riesling style of wines. Schramsberg Riesling served to President Harrison at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

  • Jacob Schram portrait, circa 1878

    1905

    Jacob Schram dies. Property inherited by son, Herman.

  • Schramsberg workers and dog gathered under the Victorian house verandah, circa 1881

    1912

    The winery ceases operation and is sold.

Next Slide