the soil substructure is compressed volcanic ash, holding little nutrients, and yielding small berries which produce deep, intense, and rich concentrated flavours.

Originally a land grant to Salvador Vallejo, the original parcel was purchased by Dr. Pettingill in 1870. Dr. Pettingill was a globetrotter and bon vivant but he is also known to have been a dentist, brewer, winemaker, and horse breeder; a character bigger than life, impassioned by science and the land. The vineyard he planted was one of the earliest plantings in Napa Valley.

In 1871, using only a hand saw to cut the white rock he quarried from the property, he constructed a winery in which he would process 7,000 gallons of wine per year. Dr. Pettingill also designed two cellars, where he began the tradition of bottle ageing his wine for 4 years before release- a method we still proudly practice at White Rock.

Henri and Claire purchased the property in 1977 and set to work restoring the winery to its original glory.