Once the beloved Lake County home of legendary actress Lillie Langtry, Langtry Estate & Vineyards is a stunning 35-squaremile natural paradise, located just 15 minutes north of the Napa Valley. Although the winery itself was built just 33 years ago, the estate’s winemaking history dates back to the late 1880s, when Lillie herself crafted her own fine wines.
Long before she laid eyes on this inspiring estate, British-born Lillie married into English Society and was lauded for her beauty. She pursued a career in acting and became so successful that, by the time she first came to America for her acting debut at the age of 29, she was considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Shortly after, Lillie became associated with the wealthy Fred Gebhard and together they discovered the picturesque Guenoc Valley. They purchased adjacent properties (8,000 acres combined) and, by the early 1900s, Lillie was one of the region’s most successful wine producers.
More than a century has passed, yet very little has changed. The grounds of Langtry Estate are embraced by nature. The winery overlooks the captivating Detert Reservoir and vista views in every direction. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic because, once they arrive, they won’t want to leave. After a short, scenic drive from the Napa Valley, they can leisurely taste the fabulous wines and learn the fascinating history of Lillie Langtry and the estate. Or, with a 48-hour notice, visitors can opt for the Tephra Ridge Vineyard Lunch Tour, which transports guests to Langtry’s spectacular ridge-top Cabernet Sauvignon where they can sample the wines with a gourmet box lunch while enjoying a striking view.
The wines are striking, too. Offering an intriguing portfolio of distinctive single varietals and blends, Langtry was recently named Winery of the Year by the Lake County Winery Association’s People’s Choice Awards—a great honor that would make Lillie Langtry quite pleased.