Our Story

The history of Hess Persson Estates begins in 1978, when Donald Hess founded The Hess Collection Winery on Mount Veeder, on the site of one of Napa Valley’s oldest wineries. A pioneer by nature, Donald set out to defy convention and pursue winemaking at elevation, at a time when few Napa Valley growers planted vines on the mountain. He believed Mount Veeder’s volcanic slopes offered the ideal soils and microclimates for elegant wines with rich, complex flavors. Today, the next generation of the Hess family, Tim and Sabrina Persson, carries his legacy forward from the estate’s original home. Together with our winemaking team, they craft exceptional luxury wines that earn praise from critics and honor the rugged terrain that defines us.