Clos Du Val was named as “Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 1998. The 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon was among the Top 10 Californian Wines in Judgement of Paris 1976. Clos Du Val was founded by the Goelet family in 1972. The talented French-born winemaker Bernard Portet (brother of Dominique Portet) founded the vineyard land in Stags Leap District most capable of producing a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. In recent years, guided by Kristy Melton, named Senior Winemaker in 2012, the winery is revitalized by focusing almost exclusively on making estate-grown wines. Kristy Melton was commended by Wine Enthusiast as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” rising stars. The winery is given credit for maintaining sustainable practices in its viticulture and vinification processes. The wines brilliantly capture the terroir of three world-class Napa Valley appellations, delivering fnesse, complexity and balance.