How Alexander describes Shafer:
"I have been a fan of Shafer wines since the start of my wine adventure. The Hillside Select was one of the wines that really kicked the wine bug for me. Tasting through their portfolio, you realize what an incredible range of wines Shafer Cabernets are lush and vibrant, yet with impeccable balance. Elias Fernandez has been winemaker at Shafer for 40 years. He is one of the most gifted winemakers in the valley, and one of the reasons Shafer produces world-class wines every vintage."
Founded by
John & Betty Shafer
Founded
1972
Region
California
Appellations
Carneros, Stag's Leap District
Wines Produced
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
White: Chardonnay
Famous For
Hillside Select, One-Point Five, TD-9, Relentless Syrah, Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay
Shafer
Wines by Alexander, a Quebec wine agency, is proud to present Shafer.
Founded in 1978 by John Shafer: John purchased the property in 1972 where only 30 acres of vines had been planted. These vines dated back to 1922. In 1974 he planted his first vines, and after selling fruit for a few years, he released Shafer’s inaugural vintage in 1978. His son Doug Shafer, who started at the property in 1984, was President from 1994 to 2022. The third part of their success is due to Elias Fernandez who has been winemaker from 1984. Shafer uses eight different French coopers and controls all aspects of the process from start to finish, including having their own optical sorter. As well as their Stag’s Leap property, Shafer also owns Red Shoulder Ranch (70 acres) in Carneros, where they produce their Chardonnay. They produce a Syrah (Relentless, named after their winemaker Elias), along with three Cabernets at different price points: TD-9, One Point Five and Hillside Select. Shafer produces wines of place, which are lush, focused and show incredible balance. These are world-class wines that should not be missed.
