About
The Origin Story
In the early 2000s, John Conover, Gavin Newsom, and Gordon Getty envisioned a new chapter in their winemaking tenure that would complement the valley floor terroir of their existing Oakville estate. In 2005, this dream came to fruition as a 54-acre estate perched 1,700 feet above sea level on the dramatic slopes of Howell Mountain, where the land meets the clouds: CADE Estate Winery.
Committed to Green
Given the opportunity to build from the ground up, Newsom, Getty, and Conover were committed to constructing a state-of-the-art winery that would pay tribute to the land, both aesthetically and ecologically. This commitment would go above and beyond the standard benchmark of environmental responsibility, especially in the world of wine. The end goal, to construct the first CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) organically farmed, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certified Estate Winery in the Napa Valley. “We are hopefully setting the example of how we believe we should grow grapes and build wineries in the Napa Valley, ” said Conover.
The two-fold commitment initiated in the vineyards with a painstaking program of natural cultivation to convert the vineyards to organic farming practices.
“Change is good, green is good, organic is good. We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do as stewards of the land.”
The second part of the two-fold commitment was our winery. We were the first winery in Napa Valley to achieve LEED Gold Certification for the entire property, including our hospitality building, caves, and production facility, setting a new standard in eco-conscious construction and operations that was unprecedented at the time.
As Conover remarks, “No one had ever attempted this, even the contractors, so the responsibility fell to us to develop a completely original plan. We used everything from recycled concrete to insulation made from blue jeans. We incorporated solar panels to minimize electricity consumption, used renewable cork flooring, and committed to being extremely careful with water use. Since its opening, CADE has served as a model for those seeking this level of green building, from UC Davis to other private winery ventures.” Beyond our buildings and organic farming, we actively participate in broader environmental initiatives, such as Napa Green, and practice fish-friendly farming.
“If the vineyard is giving you apple, then make the best apple pie you can make. You will never turn those apples into a lemon meringue pie. That is my approach; take the grapes and make the best wine you can with those grapes.”
“One of my favorite things about practicing architecture is its direct connection to the land and to the materials of construction, and the impact of what we do on how people live their lives.”