In 1873, a Bordeaux immigrant named Jean Laurent, moved with his family to the Napa Valley. The post Gold Rush years in California were dynamic to say the least. It was in the midst of this time of struggle Laurent truly found his calling, and his long time home, when he purchased five acres of land in St. Helena. After all, what Jean Laurent knew how to do was make fine wine. Crafted like the great Clarets from Bordeaux, Laurent's wines were soon among the most respected from the California wine pioneers.
Unfortunately, Jean Laurent died before his winemaking skills were truly recognized. And, for the next 100 years, Laurent's legacy was regrettably locked inside the winery's stone cellar.
That is, until Bruce Markham bought the property and hired a young General Manager, Bryan Del Bondio, to oversee the winery's direction. Del Bondio soon realized that there was a lot more to the winery and vineyards than he first thought. Laurent had possessed immeasurable vision and had selected an extraordinary location to produce wine.
Capitalizing on this head start, Del Bondio purchased and replanted over one hundred acres of vineyards, and with new owner Mercian's support, completely redesigned the winery. The new winery's design maintains the historic stone cellar as both a figurative and literal connection to the past. The unpretentious way Laurent crafted and enjoyed wine has been handed down to the present day Markham. Wines of unprecedented quality, which consistently represent some of the best value in the marketplace.
Why? Because Markham wines are created with a commitment to quality, unpretentious in style and simply meant to be enjoyed.
Address:
2812 St. Helena Highway North
P.O. Box 636
St. Helena, CA 94574
In 1873, a Bordeaux immigrant named Jean Laurent, moved with his family to the Napa Valley. The post Gold Rush years in California were dynamic to say the least. It was in the midst of this time of struggle Laurent truly found his calling, and his long time home, when he purchased five acres of land in St. Helena. After all, what Jean Laurent knew how to do was make fine wine. Crafted like the great Clarets from Bordeaux, Laurent's wines were soon among the most respected from the California wine pioneers.
Capitalizing on this head start, Del Bondio purchased and replanted over one hundred acres of vineyards, and with new owner Mercian's support, completely redesigned the winery. The new winery's design maintains the historic stone cellar as both a figurative and literal connection to the past. The unpretentious way Laurent crafted and enjoyed wine has been handed down to the present day Markham. Wines of unprecedented quality, which consistently represent some of the best value in the marketplace.
