Lisa Redmon knows hard work. Growing up in St. Helena, she got her first job at age 13. Redmon helped run the family business—the local A&W Restaurant, slinging root beer floats and cheeseburgers. "My dad worked a deal with the principal when I started high school. I had to come over every day and work the lunch hour," Redmon recounts. "All the other kids would come over to eat at A&W, and I had to serve them. I didn't have a lunch hour to myself all four years of high school."

Redmon's commitment paid off. The A&W flourished and allowed her father to invest in property around the valley. "One of the things he bought was a vineyard," Redmon says. "And that vineyard is three-and-a-half acres on the west side of the St. Helena. It's a beautiful spot." After spending a decade in the corporate world, the vineyard called to Redmon. Although she had yet to gain winemaking experience, Redmon decided to experiment with the grapes for fun. Growing up in wine country, she learned by osmosis. "I made some wine in my garage and took it to the fairground in Napa at the Town and Country Fair. I entered it into a home winemaking competition," Redmon reminisces.

From the 1999 vintage, her wine won the Best of Cabernet Sauvignon and the Best of Show. The positive response helped Redmon realize she could start a small wine business. Today, she produces 1200 cases a year, and her brand consists of five different offerings: Merlot, Chardonnay, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, and three vineyard-specific Cabernet Sauvignons. 

For the estate Cabernet Sauvignons, she sources grapes from her vineyard in St. Helena, another on Mt. Veeder, and a third, the Immaculate Vineyard, in Coombsville. "One of my favorite wines was Inherit the Sheep, made by the property's [Immaculate Vineyard] prior owner," Redmon says. "When I heard these grapes were becoming available, I said, yes, absolutely. Then I started to learn about Coombsville." Redmon finds the AVA intriguing and loves the exceptional wines that come from it. She thinks the region makes a great food wine with gentle tannins, good acidity, and subtle minerality.

Redmon also enjoys the camaraderie and hospitality of the people who are a part of the Coombsville AVA. Their values—the association champions small family-owned producers who work hard to create unique and delicious wine—mirror hers. "I keep my head down and try to work hard and give everybody a fabulous experience no matter who they are. 

‍How to Taste: Fans of Cabernet Sauvignon can try her wine at Mia Carta in downtown Napa. The winery collective pours Redmon's wine and offers selections from seven other local winery gems. For a more exclusive experience, Redmon does private tastings by appointment only at the St. Helena vineyard property. 

Known For: Exceptional single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects the distinct terroir. 

Wine Club 411: The Redmon wine club consists of three different levels with wine shipments twice a year: once in the spring and another in the fall. Redmon says, "I'm flexible with my customers, so when you come in, you can choose your wines if you want." 

Fun Fact: Redmon cohosts a women-in-wine harvest event along with two other boutique wineries, Rarecat and Ilsley Vineyards. This year's celebration in late September was a roaring success. "Redmon Wine's 2023 harvest weekend was one of the best yet!" Redmon says. "Friday night under the stars with Janice from Ilsley Vineyards, Sharon from Rarecat Wines, and 50 of our favorite clients was magical. Working side by side with these women in the wine industry is always enlightening."

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