Our Story

A Labor of Love Across Two Generations

The Kapcsándy (pronounced "Cup-chon-dy") story is a unique amalgam of old-world values and American ingenuity, combining classic European grand cru-style with modern state-of-the-art technology.  Most of all, it’s the story of a family that’s simply passionate about wine.

Lou Kapcsándy emigrated to the U.S. from his native Hungary in 1956, pursuing a successful career in chemical engineering and manufacturing, first in the San Francisco Bay Area then in Seattle.  Through colleagues in the wine business, he began sourcing exceptional European wines for his cellar, while simultaneously mentoring an emergent group of local entrepreneurs who would become early icons of Washington State’s wine industry.

In 1998, a visit by Lou and his wife, Bobbie, to one of Bordeaux’s centuries-old estates, Leoville-Las Cases, planted a seed of desire:  to create a wine-based business in partnership with their son, Louis, Jr., and to retire in California’s Napa Valley. The family began touring properties for sale, and within three months they discovered a singular 20-acre parcel in Yountville, one the original crown jewels of Beringer Estates Private Reserve Cabernet program.  In May 2000, they closed escrow on the property and embarked upon a rigorous plan to replant the vineyard after two years of reintroducing essential nutrients to the soil.

In 2002, the Kapcsándys completely replanted their vineyard site to 15 specific blocks, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, then construction was finalized on a state-of-the-art winery in September 2005.  Finally, the family began to implement its longtime vision: to consistently produce wines of “First Growth” quality that could rival any region or winery in the world.  To that end, the family lives and works on-site since 2004, overseeing all aspects of the vineyard management and winemaking operations.

We welcome you to experience Kapcsándy Family Winery, an intergenerational labor of love that brings the finesse and elegance of European grand cru wines to the Napa Valley.

The Story Behind Our Crest

The Kapcsándy family crest, which dates from the 1730s, features four quadrants. Each illustrates a notable characteristic of our family’s Hungarian history: A double cross from the crown of St. Stephen – the first king of Hungary (1000 to 1038); grapes showing that we were grape-growers; corn symbolizing that we were farmers; and a soldier’s cap and sword, representing our service in the cavalry during the 1848 War of Independence.

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon - Grand Vin