Far Niente Winery

Far Niente Winery was established in 1885 in Oakville Napa Valley, California. In 1979 a redevelopment and restoration occurred to bring the winery back to its original glory. Far Niente is known for its chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. The original owner of Far Niente was John Benson. Like many of the travelers in the 1800s Benson arrived in Napa Valley as a 49ner looking for gold. His uncle was an American Impressionist, quite famous at the time. Benson hired Hamden McIntyre to create his winery. He liked the work McIntyre did on Christian Brothers Winery. Christian Brothers Winery is now the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Benson wanted the building to be functional with the ability to get the grapes into the production stage with ease.

The Winery was hit hard by Prohibition in 1919, and it really never recovered. It was not until 1979 when Gil Nickel purchased the winery and the adjacent vineyard that it began to produce wine again. It took three years for the restoration to be completed, and a little longer to provide a perfect bottle. Far Niente has 13 acres of gardens to add to the winery and estate.