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Stalworth

An Old English word meaning “foundation” and “worth.” By the 12th century, stalworth described those marked by determination, bravery, and courage.

The modern form, stalwart, means strong, steadfast, and uncompromising — a person of enduring resolve.

Our Story

Sabrina and Timothy Persson arrived in Napa Valley in 2012 to help guide their family’s 30-year-old winery into its next chapter—honoring its legacy while charting a bold course for a fresh and vibrant future.

But they also wanted to create something new. Stalwørth was born from a dream of creating iconic, uncompromising wines that would capture the imagination and define the next era of Napa Valley.

Since this dream began, challenges from earthquakes to wildfires to landslides have tested resolve, deepened perspective, and ultimately shaped the spirit of Stalwørth itself. This wine truly embodies the perseverance and outstanding strength it takes to produce the best possible vintage of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

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2014

An earthquake at the beginning of harvest severely damaged the winery and destroyed the primary cellar.
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2015

Severe drought and low yields impeded the project.
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2016

A landslide forced a shut-down of the winery for several weeks.
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2017

Wildfire smoke rendered the crop unusable.
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2018

Completion of a four-year project converting cellar destroyed in earthquake into a state-of-the-art winemaking facility. First vintage of Stalworth made in the new cellar.
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2019

The second vintage of Stalworth Cabernet is produced.
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2020

Wildfire smoke rendered the crop unusable.
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2021

The third vintage of Stalworth Cabernet is produced.
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2022

The inaugural release of Stalworth debuts. with the 2018 vintage.

Our Philosophy

Rutherford | Oakville

Vineyards

Stalwørth wines are crafted with restraint—understated, precise, and pure—a transparent reflection of place shaped by time, soil, and patience.

Our chosen focus is the Rutherford Bench of Napa Valley—narrow alluvial fans that spill out from the Mayacamas foothills along the western edge of Rutherford and Oakville. These ancient deposits marry depth and complexity with natural drainage, compelling the vines to reach deep into the soil while tempering vigor. The result is fruit of remarkable nuance and composure.

The two vineyards showcased by Stalwørth sit along Napa Valley’s western benchlands and share the hallmarks of the Rutherford Bench, yet each brings its own distinctive voice. The Rutherford vineyard is a small, organically farmed site producing more red-toned fruit with supple tannins and graceful texture. The Oakville vineyard is a small, dry-farmed vineyard at the base of the Oakville Grade, yielding darker fruit with a refined, velvety structure. Together, these vineyards capture the full range of the western benchlands’ character, complementing each other in balance and expression.

Behind The Wine

Proprietors

Sabrina And Timothy Persson

Sabrina and Timothy Persson arrived in Napa Valley in 2012 to take the helm of their family’s winery. They shared a vision to sustain what their family had built, yet also to evolve it—ensuring the winery would continue to thrive for generations to come.

At the same time, they dreamt of beginning something of their own. Stalwørth was born from that dream: a new chapter devoted to uncompromising wines that would capture the imagination and define the next era of Napa Valley.

Winemaker

Celia Welch

One of Napa’s most acclaimed winemakers, Celia Welch arrived in the Valley in the late 1980s and has been a trailblazer for women in wine. Her track record over the last three decades is impeccable.

She has made wines from every appellation within the valley, but it was in Rutherford where she cut her teeth. She has consistently made stunning wines that uniquely speak to their sense of place.

Partner

Nicholas Fitch

A Virginia native, Nick spent more than a decade studying and working in New York before he arrived in Napa Valley in 2013. After completing his studies at the Culinary Institute of America and Cornell University, Nick went on to work alongside Thomas Keller for more than ten years at his Michelin three-star restaurants, honing a deep commitment to excellence and hospitality. As his ties to Napa strengthened, Nick turned his focus to wine, collaborating with some of the region’s most acclaimed producers.

At Stalwørth, Nick oversees the brand through the lens of the collector, focusing on hospitality and lasting relationships, and creating experiences that connect them to both us and the stories behind our wines.

The Wine

Vintage 2023

Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE NOTES

The 2023 vintage was marked by one of the longest growing seasons in more than a decade. Abundant winter rains replenished reservoirs and deeply saturated the soils, giving the vines vital hydration as they emerged from dormancy. A mild spring and summer, paired with steady sunshine, created ideal conditions for slow, even ripening.

Cooler temperatures provided the luxury of extended hang time, allowing the fruit to achieve exceptional phenolic development while retaining vibrant natural acidity. The result is a rare harmony of concentrated flavors and refined tannin structure, elevated by freshness and elegance—the true signature of great vineyard sites.

WINEMAKER NOTES

The 2023 Stalwørth Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of exceptional refinement and depth. Enticing aromas of fresh, rich Bing cherries and marzipan are complemented by nuanced notes of vanilla, allspice, and clove. On the palate, it opens with a silky, seamless entry of vibrant red fruit and a hint of white pepper spice, revealing classic Rutherford dust-like tannins. Layers of creamy vanilla oak and subtle, refined spices carry through a long, lingering finish, exemplifying elegance, balance, and structure. This distinguished expression captures the essence of Rutherford terroir and serves as a compelling showcase of Stalwørth craftsmanship.

VARIETY: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL: 14.9%
COOPERAGE: 100% new French oak, 22 months in barrel
PRODUCTION: 365 cases
RELEASE DATE: February, 2026

If you would like to request a 2023 allocation, please fill out the request form linked below.

Request a 2023 Allocation

Inaugural Vintage 2023

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE NOTES

The 2023 vintage was marked by one of the longest growing seasons in more than a decade. Abundant winter rains replenished reservoirs and deeply saturated the soils, giving the vines vital hydration as they emerged from dormancy. A mild spring and summer, paired with steady sunshine, created ideal conditions for slow, even ripening.

Cooler temperatures provided the luxury of extended hang time, allowing the fruit to achieve exceptional phenolic development while retaining vibrant natural acidity. The result is a rare harmony of concentrated flavors and refined tannin structure, elevated by freshness and elegance—the true signature of great vineyard sites.

WINEMAKER NOTES

The inaugural 2023 Stalwørth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of refined elegance and captivating depth. Aromas of black cherries, sun-ripened plums, and lush blackberries unfold with graceful intensity, leading to a palate that is both silky and seamless. Layers of dark fruit entwine with gentle oak sweetness and delicate spice, while velvety tannins carry the wine through a long, lingering finish, highlighting its depth, structure, and refinement. Each sip reveals new dimensions, a symphony of complexity and finesse—a debut of remarkable distinction that heralds the promise and legacy of Stalwørth.

VARIETY: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL: 14.9%
COOPERAGE: 60% new French oak, 22 months in barrel
PRODUCTION: 190 cases
RELEASE DATE: February, 2026

If you would like to request a 2023 allocation, please fill out the request form linked below.

Request a 2023 Allocation

Welcome

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