Wine
‘No Compromises’ at Family-Run Napa Winery Fleury Estate
August 30, 2023
How many wineries can manage to create terroir-driven, small-lot wines eagerly sought after by wine enthusiasts—with the Beatles on full blast, grandpa running the forklift, and grandma and mom cranking out their trademark chorizo and egg burritos?
That’s the situation at Rutherford’s Fleury Estate Winery, explains second-generation winemaker, Connor Fleury.
Fleury Estate Winery was founded in 2000 by Brian and Claudia Fleury, and while the passionate duo are still running the show, they’ve proudly expanded the family’s involvement. Now, some of the day-to-day duties and winemaking responsibilities are handled by their 25-year-old son, Connor, with help from their 27-year-old daughter Kendall, as well.
Their hyper focused high-energy has served the family well from the get-go, with Claudia doing everything from designing the logo to masterminding all aesthetics at the winery (she also runs a successful interior decorating business), and Brian in charge of the winemaking and hospitality. Claudia’s talent and vision is also behind Fleury Estate’s bottle design and labels.
Building From 100 Cases to 4,000
“The first couple of years were only like 100 cases, which is four barrels of wine,” recalls Brian, who previously had a successful career as a software executive in San Francisco. “A very small production. We were trying to figure out what direction we wanted to go in, and it kind of evolved.”
The Fleury family is an ambitious one. By 2003, they were in “full production mode,” and now produce between 2,500 and 4,000 cases of wine, depending on the year. That ambition to grow their production without compromising quality, along with the benefits of being family-owned, allow them to intentionally produce their wines for discerning wine drinkers.
“It’s all driven by the fruit that we own and manage,” he says. “The vineyards, the grapes, and managing them with our team creates the ability to have more control and make an artisan kind of wine.”
By managing the entire winemaking process themselves, from grape to glass, you get to experience the passion and care that goes into each bottle. There are “no compromises” when it comes to the quality of the final product, Connor explains. During harvest, that mentality, and the enterprising spirit of the family, kicks into high gear.
Amid a backdrop of classic rock—everything from the Rolling Stones to Steely Dan and Elton John is fair game, Connor says—his entire family joins in the process of harvest and production.
The winery itself is in what wine experts consider to be one of the best regions for growing grapes in the country. They’re positioned just south of St. Helena in Rutherford, with an 11-acre estate vineyard on-site, 30 acres in St. Helena and six acres on Howell Mountain. But unlike many of their bold-faced neighbors, the only signage alerting passers-by to their existence comes in the form of an understated copper colored sign above their mailbox. And there’s no shortage of visitors to the tasting room, either—much of their traffic is from word-of-mouth.
To provide their visitors with an intimate tasting experience, visits are by appointment only. While there is typically a set ritual for tastings, they often evolve, and are always led by a family member.
“Our typical tastings include one white and five red wines,” Connor says. “If they’re interested, we always give them barrel tastings too.”
Set to a soundtrack led by Bebel Gilberto, the tastings, like Fleury Estate Winery itself, are elegant, but also laid-back and tailor-made for the people who are visiting.
Connor elaborates, “We treat every guest like an extension of our family.”
Cabernet Sauvignon Takes the Lead
Cabernet Sauvignon is king in Napa, and their plantings and wines reflect that.
“We primarily grow Cabernet grapes in Rutherford,” Brian says. “We make a 100% Cabernet called Le Fleur 29, which is my late father’s nickname. It’s a tribute to him. Many wineries and labels that say Cabernet are not 100%, because up to 25% of another varietal can be blended in, and you can still label it Cabernet.”
Fleury now has not just one, but five 100% Cabernets.
There are also other grapes in the mix, from the usual suspects—Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc—to the unexpected, like Albariñno and Viognier.
Building Something That Will Last
While Brian and Claudia remain very much focused on the family business, they’re opening up their circle of two.
“It’s myself, my wife, and my son Connor, and my daughter Kendall, who will hopefully step in more when she moves back from San Diego,” Brian says. “Connor oversees all the production and does the day-to-day operations, takes care of our customers, does tours and tastings.”
Independent wineries like Fleury are able to focus on people and products in a way that wineries with extensive oversight — or shareholders who are overly concerned about earnings — simply can’t. At Fleury, because the team is more focused on creating memorable wines that will stand the test of time than next quarter’s earnings, every detail counts.
“We really focus on the grapes, growing the grapes,” Brian says. “And the barrels are very important. We use all French oak, usually a blend of 70% new and 30% once-used, then age the wine for 24 months, and blend it before we bottle it.”
Selling wine from the tasting room has gotten Fleury far, but both Brian and Connor say they’re excited to partner with Sommsation so they can focus on their first loves: winemaking and in-house customer service.
“We feel that Sommsation embodies a lot of the characteristics we have here at Fleury,” Connor says. “You focus on high-end boutique wines. In Napa, we’ve learned that you have to lean on others in one way or another, and look out for each other.”
At this point, Connor continues, Fleury has achieved brand recognition. The winery has evolved, but the spirit has endured. When you savor a Cabernet from Fleury Estate—in addition to the dusty tannins and flavors of mocha and dark plums—behind every sip you can discern the tenacity of a family-run business with years of hard work and a dedication to making the best wines possible. The terroir speaks for itself, but the independent determination that defines the way every grape and barrel is cared for is palpable, too.
Ready to experience Fleury for yourself? We’ve got you covered.
A preview of their wines:
Fleury Estate Winery Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014: Silky and sexy, this 2014 Le Fleur 29 is a classic and delicious expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Offering alluring aromas of boysenberry, black currant, sage and dark chocolate. Additional layers of sage and sweet oak, help lead the way to a plush and velvety pallet. Ripe fruit notes of dark cherry and black plum, along with dark chocolate and savory herbs create a powerfully elegant mouthfeel. Long and lingering, the smooth tannin structure provides a richness and structure that is sure to please for years to come.
Fleury Estate Winery Passionné Red Blend, 2016: The 2016 Howell Mountain BDX exhibits the complexity and minerality of Howell Mountain. The mix of varietals blend harmoniously providing notes of graphite, wet stone, blackberry and mocha. The strong mountain tannins frame a structured and deep palate. The wine builds across the palate with flavors of dark plum, black currant and bitter chocolate. Hints of sage, sweet oak and dark berries linger on the tongue. The elegant power and vibrancy makes the wine enticing now, but possesses the ability to gracefully age in your cellar, as well.
Fleury Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc, 2019: Our 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is a beautiful gold in color. Comprised of 100% Estate fruit, the wine showcases depth and complexity. A medley of ripe citrus and tropical notes fill both the nose and dance across your palate. Held together with refreshing acidity, the profound palate includes notes of pear, honeysuckle, guava, lime and toasted hazelnut. A seamless balance between nose and mouth is highlighted by a richly elegant and smooth mouthfeel. It is a gem now but is unique in that it becomes even more beautiful with age.
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