Our family has been in the wine business for over 50 years. In that time, we have come to understand all aspects of the industry and we have dedicated ourselves to producing fruit and wine of the highest standard. With a concentration on Napa Valley and Carneros vineyards, we have sought to produce wines that are “a window to a place;” meaning each one of our vineyards is different in expression with its own subtle yet distinctive character and voice.
History
Our story begins over 75 years ago outside of South Boston Virginia as twelve-year-old Ken Laird drove his mule wagon through tight rows of sticky, fit-to-be-harvested tobacco leaves. As the gooey bundles were thrown up onto the wagon, little Ken led his mule team to the curing barn. It was there, with his grandmother, great uncles and cousins, they would stoke smoky curing fires for their prized tobacco. Ken would be the third generation Laird to carry on the farming tradition.
While growing up to be a big city mechanical engineer in New York City, Ken held on to his family tradition of becoming a farmer. In 1970, Ken and his wife, Gail, purchased their first Napa Valley parcel. This neglected piece of land, adjacent to Tubbs Lane in Calistoga, held 70 acres of worn-down prune trees. With Prohibition forty years gone and Napa Valley positioned to re-emerge as viticulturally significant, Ken and Gail decided to develop the orchard into a grape vineyard. While knowing just short of nothing about viticulture, they were also $150,000 short to properly develop the orchard into a respectable vineyard. Picking up a tattered phone book, Ken went to the yellow pages and found eight listed wineries…Robert Mondavi being the only one he recognized.
With a phone call, Robert Mondavi himself agreed to walk the property. After they discussed soils, vines, yields, irrigation, and proper pruning, Robert agreed to finance a deal with the Lairds if they would plant 50% Gamay. The deal was struck with a resulting vineyard of 50% Gamay and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Mr. Mondavi guaranteeing the Laird’s Cabernet “to be the highest harvest price paid in the Valley.” The support and encouragement of Robert Mondavi would allow Ken to return to his passion: his family farming heritage.
By the late 1990’s our vineyard holdings had exceeded 2,000 acres and the idea of making our own premium wines began to take shape. Architect, Jon Lail, showed Ken and Gail the plans for the iconic pyramid-shaped, multi-level winery. Soon after that, construction began on what would become our Red Hen Ranch vineyard property just north of Napa.
Ken and Gail’s son, Justin, worked side-by-side with Ken in the vineyards and is now President of Bayview Vineyards, our vineyard management company, while their daughter, Rebecca, became the General Manager of our winery.
Philosophy
With over 50 years in the wine business, we understand the ‘ins-and-outs’ of the industry and can meet the unique trends and challenges of the wine business. We believe that our success is due to the combination of vineyard expertise and a shared vision and goal to produce great estate wines. With every year there is an intense drive to understand, react to and work with each vineyard to reach its full potential. This process, led by our winemaker and vineyard manager, is crucial for the execution of successful wines.
