Napa’s Historic Inglenook Winery: 10 Best Wines, Prices (2024)

Inglenook winery is one of the most magnificent wine estates located in the Rutherford appellation in Napa Valley. 

This family-owned winery produces several elegant wine styles, among which is their flagship wine Rubicon - a sophisticated Bordeaux red blend.   Discover everything about this iconic winery, it’s best wines, their investment potential, Inglenook’s illustrious heritage, and the exclusive tours and seated tastings they offer.

A Quick Intro to Inglenook Winery

Inglenook covers 1,700 acres of land, of which 235 acres are vineyard plots. The soil is a mix of well-drained loam and deeper, more refined layers - a true representation of Napa Valley’s terroir diversity. 

The signature wine, Rubicon, is a delicate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grapes like Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. 

The winery also crafts other red and white wines like:

• Blancaneaux
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir
• Merlot
• Cabernet Franc
• Zinfandel
• RC Reserve Syrah 
• Sauvignon Blanc

10 Best Wines from Inglenook Winery (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)

Here are the most exquisite wines from Inglenook winery: 

1. 1958 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, USA ($874)
2. 1981 Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red, Rutherford, USA ($384)
3. 1972 Inglenook Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, USA ($96)
4. 1985 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Reserve Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($86)
5. 2008 Rubicon Estate Inglenook RC Reserve Syrah, Rutherford, USA ($85)
6. 2014 Inglenook Reserve Cask Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA ($70)
7. 2013 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Blancaneaux, Rutherford, USA ($66)
8. 2011 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Edizione Pennino Zinfandel, Napa Valley, USA ($63)
9. 2016 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, USA ($60)
10. 2007 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Cabernet Franc, Rutherford, USA ($59)

1. 1958 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, USA ($874)

This spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon opens with blackberry and raspberry aromas followed by subtle oak and vanilla flavors. 

This older vintage was initially named 'Cask' - a name given by John Daniel Jr., who was producing wines under the Inglenook Cask label between 1934 and 1964.

2. 1981 Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red, Rutherford, USA ($384)

Here’s a full-bodied wine with an exotic fragrance of purple grapes, cinnamon, and wilted roses. The palate reveals a spicy cherry flavor. 

You can relish this wine with beef, lamb, and venison. 

3. 1972 Inglenook Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, USA ($96)

It’s an easy-drinking and light-bodied red wine with low tannins. The palate packs delicious notes of strawberry and cherry. 

4. 1985 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Reserve Merlot, Napa Valley, USA ($86)

Rich yet elegant, this wine opens with the intense perfume of berry fruit and oak. 

You can pair it with hearty meat dishes like steak and lamb chops. 

5. 2008 Rubicon Estate Inglenook RC Reserve Syrah, Rutherford, USA ($85)

This layered wine integrates cherry, raspberry, and blackberry flavors with pepper, licorice, and oak fragrance. 

6. 2014 Inglenook Reserve Cask Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA ($70)

Enriched with the tempting flavors of blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant, this spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense mouthfeel and a strong finish. 

7. 2013 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Blancaneaux, Rutherford, USA ($66)

Here’s a complex yet well-balanced wine with crisp acidity. It has an exotic bouquet of pears, honey, and white flowers. 

8. 2011 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Edizione Pennino Zinfandel, Napa Valley, USA ($63)

Fresh and aromatic, this lovely Inglenook wine packs the tasting notes of blackberry, vanilla, clove, and cinnamon. 

You can enjoy this wine alongside lamb-based recipes like burgers and meatballs. 

9. 2016 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, USA ($60)

This wine has pear and white peach flavors on the palate. It also hints at the freshness of lime, gooseberry, and pomelo. 

10. 2007 Rubicon Estate Inglenook Cabernet Franc, Rutherford, USA ($59)

A glass of this Cabernet Franc reveals ripe fruit flavors and firm tannins. The palate retains a beautiful balance of blackcurrant, mint, and oaky tasting notes. 

Investing in Inglenook Wines

If you want to build a premium wine collection from the comfort of your home, check out the VInovest website. Vinovest is a world-class wine investment company that lets you buy, sell, and store fine wines online from around the world. 

Inglenook wines have become a favorable choice for wine investors due to their good aging potential (25-30 years), high critic scores, good price appreciation, and auction results. 

For example:

• The 2012 vintage of Rubicon received 95 points by Robert Parker, while James Suckling gave the 2013 and 2014 vintages 97 points. 
• The 1981 Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red saw a price increase of 102%, from $83 in 2020 to $257 in 2021.
• At a Christie’s auction in 2011, two bottles of the 1941 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon were sold for $11,400. 

Wine Tasting & Tours at the Inglenook Wine Estate

Here are some of the great experiences you can sign up for at Inglenook:

• Heritage Tasting: Enjoy seated tastings of the estate wines at the Pennino Salon. Here guests can interact with a wine educator while savoring a glass of the radiant Rubicon with artisan cheese. 
• Private Tour and Tasting: Get a personalized group tour of Inglenook, covering the historic Chateau, Pennino Salon, the beautiful vineyard, and the artistic wine cellars. The tour ends with a rich wine tasting experience- a must-try for any wine connoisseur!
• Bistro: Located in the southern part of the Chateau, the bistro offers wine tasting of recently released bottles, espressos, artisan cheese, and much more. 

Other attractions include the Sample Room (a formal tasting room for estate wines dating back to 1889) and the Centennial Museum exhibiting Inglenook's legacy and the Coppola family history.    

Let’s take a look at the winery’s origins as well.

A Brief History of Inglenook Winery

The Inglenook winery was founded in 1879 by the wine connoisseur Gustave Niebaum. It was temporarily shut down after his death in 1908 and reopened by Suzanne Niebaum in 1911. 

In 1939, Niebaum's great-nephew, John Daniel Jr., inherited the winery. However, hard times compelled John Daniel Jr. to sell nearly 100 acres to Heublein Inc. in 1969. The remaining 1500 acres were sold to Francis Ford Coppola in 1975. 

In the 1970s, Heublein began mass-producing the jug wine, Inglenook Navalle. Later, the company sold its portion of Inglenook to the American conglomerate Constellation Brands. 

In 1995, Mr. Coppola bought the rest of the Inglenook vineyard and estate. In 2011, Francis Ford Coppola acquired the Inglenook name and trademark and managed to reinstate Inglenook's illustrious heritage with the help of renowned winemaker Philippe Bascaules (a former estate director of Château Margaux.) 

Today the winery remains one of the most impressive ones in the prestigious Napa Valley Wine Country. 

Indulge In Exquisite Wines from Inglenook Winery

The wines from this picturesque Napa wine estate are a magical blend of contemporary taste and historic traditions, appreciated by wine lovers and investors alike.  

Check out Vinovest today to build a winning wine portfolio of rare and remarkable wines from Inglenook and other prestigious wineries!