Shafer Vineyards is a family-owned winery that has produced wines in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District since 1978. The Shafer family moved to Napa Valley from Chicago in 1973 when John and Bett Shafer purchased a historic 209-acre property, which had been the site of grape growing since 1880. The first few years were focused on planting their hillside to Cabernet Sauvignon while replanting the 50-year-old vines on the lower portion of their property to varieties including Merlot, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. Over time the entire property was planted to 54 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, the home of their flagship wine Hillside Select. Shafer produces four additional wines sourcing most of their fruit from from vineyards they own throughout the southern end of Napa Valley. These include: - Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay - TD-9 (a proprietary red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec) - One Point Five Cabernet Sauvingnon - Relentless (Syrah blended with a small amount of Petite Sirah). Shafer began farming using sustainable agriculture in the late 1980s, including strategic partnerships with hawks, owls, insects, and sheep. In addition, Shafer was an early adopter of solar energy. The winery went 100% solar in 2004. Shafer is managed by winery president Doug Shafer, who arrived in Napa at the age of 17 and fell in love with the lifestyle of grape growers and winemakers. He earned a degree in viticulture from U.C. Davis and joined the family enterprise as winemaker in January 1983. Shafer winemaker Elias Fernandez grew up in St. Helena, raised by parents who were farmworkers. Elias earned a degree in winemaking science at U.C. Davis and was hired as assistant winemaker in March, 1984. In 1994 Doug became winery president and Elias was named winemaker. At that time winery founder, John Shafer, took the title of chairman and focused largely on philanthropic interests though he stayed involved in the winery until his death at age 94.