Tephra Ridge represents the crown jewel of Lillie Langtry’s California wine legacy—the historic 35-acre vineyard where the legendary actress first planted her vision on Howell Mountain’s volcanic slopes in the 1880s. Here, at 1,800 feet above sea level, ancient volcanic eruptions created the ash-enriched soils that would prove perfect for Bordeaux varietals. Among these noble grapes, Petit Verdot finds its most dramatic expression, thriving in the same volcanic terroir that first captivated California’s most famous female vintner.
Known as the “spice of Bordeaux,” Petit Verdot demands the intensity that only volcanic mountain terroir can provide. The thin, gravelly loam and mineral-rich ash soils of Tephra Ridge create the perfect stress conditions for this powerful varietal, producing wines of exceptional color depth and concentrated flavor. Our Petit Verdot stands as a testament to both Lillie’s pioneering spirit and the extraordinary volcanic forces that shaped this legendary vineyard site.
