The brandlin family

Heritage

The brandlin family

Heritage

The brandlins

The story of Brandlin Estate began in the 1870s, when the Brandlins emigrated from Switzerland. Their alpine heritage led them to pioneer a homestead high on Mount Veeder. Where others saw challenges, they saw untapped potential, and soon the family was farming orchard fruit, and running the local grain store and stagecoach.

In 1926, Henry Brandlin added winegrowing to the list of family businesses when he planted the first vines at Brandlin Estate—vines that still thrive today.

1890s

1926

1960s

1960s

1960s

1970s

2000s

2000s

The original barn where the Brandlin family ran the local grain store and stage coach.
The original barn where the Brandlin family ran the local grain store and stage coach.
Henry Brandlin, pictured right, who planted the first vineyards on our estate.
Henry Brandlin, pictured right, who planted the first vineyards on our estate.
Vineyard workers during harvest.
Vineyard workers during harvest.
Vineyard workers harvesting Old Vine Zinfandel.
Vineyard workers harvesting Old Vine Zinfandel.
Two vineyard workers amongst the vines.
Two vineyard workers amongst the vines.
Chester Brandlin checking on the vineyard.
Chester Brandlin checking on the vineyard.
Chester Brandlin pouring his personal collection of family wine crafted from the estate.
Chester Brandlin pouring his personal collection of family wine crafted from the estate.
Chester Brandlin sharing his family history with Winemaker, Steve Rogstad.
Chester Brandlin sharing his family history with Winemaker, Steve Rogstad.

In 1998, Brandlin Estate was acquired by the Schmidheiny family, who like the Brandlins, hail from Switzerland and are a multigenerational family of winegrowers and vintners.

To preserve and build upon the estate’s historic legacy, the Schmidheinys appointed visionary executive Daniel Zepponi as Brandlin’s president. Having grown up working at his family’s winery, Daniel brings a lifetime of experience to Brandlin, where he champions a root-to-wine approach to creating quintessential expressions of Mount Veeder winemaking.
"Growing up on a family-run winery taught me the importance of tradition, integrity and hard work in the pursuit of excellence. I am proud to continue these values at Brandlin as we build upon the storied legacy of this remarkable Mount Veeder estate."
Daniel Zepponi, President/CEO
photograph of rolling vineyard

Our estate

Brandlin Estate has 49 acres of vines, with most nearing the two-decade mark. As our Cabernet Sauvignon vines have matured and evolved, so have Brandlin’s wines—offering ever-greater depth and complexity with each new vintage.

Discover the land

Recent accolades

2019
94 Points
Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Spectator
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2018
93 Points
Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2021
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2018
94 Points
Henry's Keep
Red Wine
Wine Spectator
Learn more