Legacy & Tradition

Pope Valley Winery is a living testament to the rich history of Napa Valley winemaking. Founded in 1897 as the Burgundy Winery & Olive Oil Factory for Pope Valley, the property has historically remained untouched, preserving its pre-prohibition charm. 

Since taking ownership in 1997 the Eakle family has been committed to creating a unique and regenerative winemaking and vineyard operation.

The winery's vertical integration, from the soil to the first sip, sets it apart from other wineries in the region. The original three-story gravity flow winery, hand-dug cave, blacksmith shop, and original farmhouse stand as symbols of a bygone era, preserving the charm and character of the property while producing world-class wines.

The Eakle family’s roots in Napa Valley span multiple generations, built on land, hard work, and a way of life that began long before the winery. Generations before, the family worked the land—building barns, growing hay, and driving mule teams across Napa and throughout California.

That legacy carried through Lee and Betty Eakle and into Sam Eakle’s work in construction and vineyard development, shaping vineyards from the ground up and laying the foundation for what would come next.

As the next generation stepped in, David and Diana Eakle worked across both vineyard management and construction, continuing Sam’s foundation while strengthening the connection between land, farming, and development. Together, they built Eakle Vineyard Management as the next chapter of the family legacy—creating a truly vertically integrated approach from vineyard to cellar.

In 1997, Sam Eakle and partners purchased Pope Valley Winery, bringing the family’s history into winemaking. Today, David and Diana—who grew up working at the winery and took ownership in 2017—operate all three businesses together, carrying forward a hands-on, multi-generational approach from land to construction to winery.

The result is a winery shaped not just by history, but by the people and work behind it—where every bottle reflects the land, the craft, and the legacy being built for the next generation..