Stu Smith found the land on Spring Mountain in 1970 and planted the first vines in 1971, with his brother Charles joining him soon after. The name is half theirs and half the madrone trees that grow through the property.
The vineyards sit high on the mountain above St. Helena, on steep ground with shallow soils, and they are dry farmed. No irrigation, which is unusual enough in Napa now to be a statement, and which is the reason the wines carry the concentration and the acidity they do.
They were not the first to plant here. George Cook planted vines on this ground in the 1880s, and the U.S. Land Office patent granting him the land, signed by President Chester Arthur in 1885, still hangs in the winery. Their top wine, Cook’s Flat Reserve, is named for him, and every bottle of it goes out numbered and tissue-wrapped with a copy of that document.
Wines
A tasting room Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery can open from the cellar.
Vesper is live video and a checkout in the same window. Independent wineries broadcast from where the wine is actually made, talk through what is in the glass, and sell it direct without you leaving the stream. Most bottles worth knowing about never reach a shelf near you. This is how you meet them, and the people who made them, anyway.
- 1Follow, and get the call
Following Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery means a notification the moment they switch the camera on. Tastings are announced here, not buried in an email list.
- 2Watch and ask
The winemaker pours what is in front of them and talks through it. Chat is open, so the thing you actually wanted to know gets answered on camera.
- 3Buy direct, mid-pour
The wines being poured are purchasable on the spot. Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery is the seller of record and ships the order themselves. Vesper only earns a commission when a bottle sells.
Frequently asked
What is Vesper?
Vesper is a live tasting room for independent wineries. Wineries broadcast live video from the cellar or the vineyard, talk through what they are pouring, take questions in chat, and sell those wines direct in the same window. Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery is the seller of record and ships orders itself. Vesper takes a commission only when a bottle sells.
Where is Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery located?
Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery is based in St. Helena, CA.
What wines does Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery make?
Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery produces Bordeaux Blend, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Rosé, with vintages spanning 2009–2025.
Can I buy Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery wine online?
Yes. You can buy Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery's wines directly on Vesper, ranging from $30.00 to $295.00. The winery ships your order directly.
Does Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery host live tastings?
Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery can host live tastings on Vesper where you watch the winemaker pour and buy featured wines as they're presented.
Do I need a ticket or a reservation to join a tasting?
No. Live tastings on Vesper are free to watch and open to anyone. Follow Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery and you are notified when they go on camera. You only pay if you decide to buy a wine.
Who ships my order, and who am I buying from?
Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery. On Vesper the winery is the merchant of record: it sets the price, takes the order, and ships the wine directly to you. Vesper handles the video, the checkout, and the payment, and earns a commission on the sale.
Be in the room when Smith-Madrone Vineyards & Winery pours
Following puts you on the list for their next live tasting. Watch from wherever you are, ask the winemaker anything while the bottle is open, and buy direct from the winery in the same window.