Blackbird Vineyards

About Winery: Blackbird Vineyards was founded with a simple yet powerful idea: to create timeless, artfully blended wines rooted in Bordeaux tradition and elevated by Napa Valley’s expressive terroir. Founded in 2003 in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, Blackbird Vineyards began as a small Merlot-focused vineyard. Today, under the visionary direction of our owners, Julia and John Hinshaw, Blackbird Vineyards crafts Bordeaux-inspired blends that embody elegance, structure, and lasting character. Our name, and our philosophy, pays homage to Merlot, the noble varietal at the heart of our story.

Aggie Connection: It wasn’t until his parents took a job in Davis, California that the possibility of a winemaking career really cemented for Aaron. “I was already experimenting with winemaking at home, leaving a lot of stains in my parents’ house. Then I met a professor who told me I could study viticulture at UC Davis. So that’s exactly what I did.” After graduating he work at Newton Vineyards before joining Chateau Troplong Mondot, making him one of the few US winemakers to run a Premier Grand Cru Classe winery. 

Alum: Aaron Pott '91, Consulting Winemaker

Aggies Uncorked Featured Wine: Blackbird "Arriviste" Rose