Becoming Hess Persson Estates
Hess Persson Estates is a family-owned luxury winery on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley, founded as The Hess Collection Winery in 1978 by Swiss businessman Donald Hess and renamed in 2021 to recognize the next-generation leadership of his daughter Sabrina Persson and son-in-law Timothy Persson.
In September 2021, The Hess Collection Winery embraced a new name: Hess Persson Estates. The name recognizes our business as it stands today — a leading luxury wine producer with two distinct portfolios: the Hess Collection and the Lions Head Collection. It brings together next-generation stewardship and an elevated re-imagination of our direct-to-consumer and club experiences, while honoring more than four decades of winemaking heritage on Mount Veeder.
A Brief History: From 1978 to Today
Our story begins in 1978, when Swiss businessman and art collector Donald Hess traveled to California to research a bottled water source for his Valser mineral water business — and fell instead for the wines of Napa Valley. He purchased roughly 900 acres on Mount Veeder, one of Napa’s most remote and highest-elevation appellations, and set about restoring a historic stone winery first built in 1903 by Colonel Theodore Gier and later operated by the Christian Brothers.
The first wines under the Hess label were released in the early 1980s. In 1989, Donald opened the property to the public, unveiling not only a tasting room but also the now-renowned Hess Art Collection — a contemporary art museum housing works by Francis Bacon, Andy Goldsworthy, Frank Stella, and others. The pairing of wine and contemporary art became the signature of the estate, and a model that few Napa wineries have matched since.
Donald was also instrumental in the formal establishment of the Mt. Veeder American Viticultural Area in 1993, helping put one of Napa’s most distinctive mountain appellations on the global wine map.
Honoring Donald Hess’s Legacy
Donald Hess passed away in January 2023 at the age of 86, in Bern, Switzerland. His philosophy — “Nurture the land; return what you take” — remains the foundation of everything we do. Of the original Mount Veeder acreage, more than half was deliberately left undeveloped to support local wildlife and watershed health, a commitment that continues today through our certifications under the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Napa Green Winery, and Napa Green Land programs.
The Hess family crest features a lion, and the family credo — “Live every day with the heart and courage of the Lion” — has shaped both the brand and its flagship wines. It’s the inspiration behind Lion Tamer, Panthera, and the Lions Head Collection name itself.
The Persson Era: A Decade of Stewardship
Donald formally handed the reins to his daughter Sabrina and her husband Timothy Persson more than a decade ago. Under their leadership, the estate has weathered remarkable challenges — a 6.0 earthquake in 2014 that destroyed tanks and cost roughly 20,000 gallons of wine, two major wildfire seasons, severe drought, a landslide, and the pandemic — and emerged stronger each time.
From the earthquake recovery came the Lions Head Cellar, a state-of-the-art winemaking facility purpose-built for the kind of small-lot, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon the estate is now known for. In 2015, we launched the Lions Head Luxury Collection, anchored by the Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon. The luxury Cabernet focus has been further reinforced through new vineyard acquisitions across Napa Valley and continued investment in our cellar and winemaking technology.
Two Portfolios: Hess Collection & Lions Tamer Collection
Today, Hess Persson Estates produces wine across two complementary portfolios. The Hess Collection includes the wines that built the estate’s reputation — Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Allomi Cabernet, and award-winning Chardonnay — while the Lions Tamer Collection comprises our luxury offerings, including Lion Tamer, Panthera, and our winery-exclusive Small Block Series.
Across both portfolios, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon remains our core focus and our deepest commitment.
In Tim Persson’s Words
“We continue our long-standing vision to be a leading family-owned and operated producer of luxury wines with a special focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Our dedication to quality and sustainability is of utmost importance, and we continue our commitment to preserve the land for future generations.
In the last ten years, we’ve been through an earthquake, a landslide, two wildfires, severe drought and of course the pandemic. Notwithstanding these challenges, our team, brands and vineyards have excelled and so we are both ready and excited for what the future now holds.”
— Timothy Persson, Hess Persson Estates
Looking Forward
The Hess Persson Estates name is more than a rebrand. It’s a recognition that this estate has always been a family story — first Donald’s, now Sabrina and Tim’s, and one day the next generation’s. The wines, the art, the mountain, and the commitment to the land all remain. Plan a visit to experience it for yourself, or explore the full Hess story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hess Collection the same as Hess Persson Estates?
Yes. Hess Persson Estates is the company formerly known as The Hess Collection Winery. The name changed in September 2021 to recognize the next-generation leadership of Sabrina and Timothy Persson, while The Hess Collection continues as one of the estate’s two wine portfolios alongside the Lions Head Collection.
Who owns Hess Persson Estates?
Hess Persson Estates is a family-owned winery led by Sabrina Persson, daughter of founder Donald Hess, and her husband Timothy Persson. They took over stewardship from Donald Hess, who founded The Hess Collection Winery in 1978 and passed away in January 2023. The estate remains independently family-owned and operated.
When did The Hess Collection become Hess Persson Estates?
The Hess Collection Winery officially became Hess Persson Estates in September 2021. The name change honors founder Donald Hess and recognizes the leadership of his daughter Sabrina Persson and son-in-law Timothy Persson, who have led the estate for more than a decade.
Where is Hess Persson Estates located?
Hess Persson Estates is located at 4411 Redwood Road, Napa, CA 94558, on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. The tasting room and Hess Art Collection are housed in a historic stone winery building first constructed in 1903. The estate is open Thursday through Monday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Who founded Hess Persson Estates?
Hess Persson Estates was founded as The Hess Collection Winery in 1978 by Donald Hess, a Swiss businessman and art collector who originally traveled to California to research a mineral water source for his Valser business. He purchased approximately 900 acres on Mount Veeder and opened the estate to the public in 1989 alongside the Hess Art Collection contemporary art museum.
What wines does Hess Persson Estates produce?
Hess Persson Estates produces wines across two portfolios. The Hess Collection includes Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Allomi Cabernet, and Chardonnay. The Lions Head Collection includes luxury offerings such as Lion Tamer, Panthera, and the winery-exclusive Small Block Series. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate’s primary focus.
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