In the heart of Napa Valley’s Yountville appellation, Dominus Estate represents the sublime union of Bordeaux heritage and California vitality. Born from the vision of Christian Moueix (owner of Château Pétrus), Dominus stands as a quiet icon – powerful yet restrained, structured yet soulful. It is a wine of conviction and legacy.

A Franco-American saga of excellence

In 1982, Moueix partnered to acquire Napanook, one of Napa’s oldest vineyard sites (planted in 1838). He soon became sole owner and established Dominus in 1995. From the start, his goal was to apply Bordeaux winemaking philosophy to California’s bold fruit: minimal intervention, dry farming, and respect for terroir.

A rare terroir in Napa

The 42-hectare vineyard is dry-farmed on gravelly, deep, well-draining soils, with ample stones and alluvial deposits. The arid conditions and wide diurnal range create wines of slow, even ripening, enabling both ripeness and freshness – a true rarity in Napa. No herbicides, low yields, and thoughtful stewardship define the estate.

Purity through minimalist winemaking

Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted by parcel. Fermentations occur naturally with native yeasts, gently extracted with minimal pump-overs. Wines age 18 months in French oak barrels (40% new), with no fining or filtration – a process that respects the voice of the vintage.

A singular style: poised, profound, and contemplative

Dominus wines are refined, dense, and built for the long haul. They avoid excess – offering notes of graphite, blackcurrant, tobacco, and dried herbs, with firm yet silky tannins and rare mineral tension. These are wines of graceful evolution and quiet authority.

Signature wines

• Dominus: the flagship. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Petit Verdot. Age-worthy for decades, with remarkable poise and depth.

• Napanook: the estate’s second wine. More approachable in youth, yet still true to the Dominus identity.

A philosophy of humility and integrity

Christian Moueix approaches Dominus not as a brand, but as a vineyard steward. There is no flash, only focus – and a refusal to compromise. The estate makes just one great wine, year after year, with discipline, patience, and reverence for place.

Producteur : Christian MOUEIX

Wine variety : 95 % Cabernet Sauvignon et 5 % Petit Verdot

Surface : 42 Hectares

Production : Around 36 000 bottles

Best vintages : 2013, 2010, 2008, 2002, 1994, 1987