La Jota Vineyard Co.- Howell Mountain Estate

With a long history behind it, having been founded by Swiss immigrant Frederick Hess in the late 1800s, La Jota Winery tells the story of Napa Valley winemakers and the hardships and challenges they faced over time. La Jota means the letter J in Spanish and is also the name of a popular Spanish dance in the 1800s. Its recent history begins in 2005 when Jess Jackson, a wine pioneer, and his wife Barbara Banke purchase La Jota Vineyard Co and named Chris Carpenter winemaker. The same year marks the production of the first La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot. Today, the winery proudly continues the winemaking tradition of over a century, producing award-winning small batches of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.