A historic 500-acre Napa Valley vineyard devastated by the 2020 Glass Fire has been purchased by a partnership led by winemaker Maya Dalla Valle and Coastal Vineyard Care Associates (CVCA). The new owners plan to rebuild the estate, a move that signals confidence in the region's wine industry despite significant economic pressures.
The purchase of the Cain Vineyard estate on Spring Mountain from the Meadlock family marks a significant investment in restoring a property that was largely destroyed by wildfire. The 2020 Glass Fire consumed nearly all the vines and burned down every building on the property, leaving only 15 acres of vines intact. Since the fire, an additional 52 acres have been replanted.
Dalla Valle, who co-owns and operates her family's Dalla Valle Vineyards, will hold a 50% stake in the new partnership. CVCA, a vineyard management company, will own the other half. The sale price was not disclosed.
This acquisition occurs as the California wine industry, particularly in Napa, faces a challenging market. Factors contributing to this include declining wine consumption among Americans, a shift in preference by younger consumers towards alternatives like spirits and ready-to-drink beverages, and increased operational costs for growers. A recent survey indicated that half of Napa vineyards reported a decrease in revenue last year, with 51% experiencing lower profits.
Despite these headwinds, Dalla Valle expressed a commitment to preserving the historic site. "Cain Vineyard is such a historic site and so iconic," she told Wine Spectator. "When we saw the opportunity to buy it, we saw the chance to protect and restore a key part of Napa Valley. I’m born and raised here. We saw an opportunity to protect this place."
Dalla Valle intends to develop a new wine using grapes from select parcels of the property. This project will be managed separately from Dalla Valle Vineyards.
Cain Vineyard was originally a sheep ranch when Jerry and Joyce Cain purchased the land in 1979 and began planting Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim and Nancy Meadlock joined them in 1986 and eventually bought out the Cains in 1991. The vineyard, situated at approximately 2,000 feet above sea level, gained recognition for its Cabernet Sauvignons, which were noted for their restraint, lower alcohol content, and higher acidity, diverging from the prevailing trend for larger, bolder wines in Napa.
The Glass Fire in September 2020 severely impacted the Spring Mountain area, leading the Meadlocks to decide against rebuilding the estate. In December 2025, Third Leaf Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, acquired the Cain brand and its existing wine inventory, but not the land itself. Longtime winemaker Chris Howell continues to produce Cain wine using fruit sourced from other vineyards.
The new ownership plans to continue the replanting efforts while respecting the existing lease agreements. The Cain brand is expected to continue purchasing fruit from the vineyard indefinitely, maintaining the connection between the brand and its historic site.