Owner: Francis Coppola Winery, LLC
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Viognier...
The Coppola Estate is made of two wineries. The first one, Rubicon Estate, is located in the Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley, and brands its wines under the names Francis Coppola or Francis Coppola Presents. The second and newest winery, located in Geyserville, Sonoma County, has recently been renamed Rosso & Bianco.

History
Coppola started the trend of celebrity wineries more than 30 years ago when he bought this Napa Valley property, which was founded a century earlier by Finnish explorer Gustave Niebaum.

Niebaum had started producing wines in this estate in the 1880s, using French winemaking traditions. Niebaum wines enjoyed sustained success for decades until the mid-1960s, when the property was divided and estate-wine production ceased.

A decade later, Francis Ford Coppola purchased 1,500 acres of this historic property and revived Niebaum's fine winemaking tradition. Coppola acquired the remainder of the property in 1995, to restore its original dimensions.

The Coppola family have lived in Napa Valley since 1975, when they used profits from 'The Godfather' to settle in the Victorian house of Gustave Niebaum.

The first Coppola wines were produced in 1978 under the name Niebaum-Coppola, using a Bordeaux blend from the vineyard adjacent to the house.
Original car from the movie Tucker, exposed in Coppola's Rubicon Estate winery.
Original car from the movie Tucker, exposed in Coppola's Rubicon Estate winery.

In March 2006, Coppola renamed the property Rubicon Estate, after his flagship wine, and at the same time announced the launch of a second winery in Geyserville. Coppola had his movie production designer completely renovate the interior, creating a dynamic backdrop for the winery and the director’s film interests. Included are historic sailing paraphernalia and furniture belonging to Captain Niebaum, the car from the movie Tucker, Coppola’s Oscars, and a collection of early filmstrip viewers called magic lanterns.

A self-proclaimed winemaking neophyte, Coppola is mostly involved in the packaging and branding of his wines. Most of the winemaking is done by his associate Scott McLeod. Acclaimed sommelier Larry Stone is in charge of managing the winery operation and guest hospitality.

Contact
Francis Coppola Winery
300 Via Archimides
Geyserville, CA 95441

Rubicon Estate (formerly Niebaum-Coppola Estate)
1991 St. Helena Highway
Rutherford, CA 94573

Visits
Guest visits to Coppola's Rubicon Estate include five tastes and a general tour of the chateau, museum, and winery, for a $25 fee per visitor. For an additional cost, other tours are available, including a private tasting as well as an in-depth look at the winemaking facilities.

Visits to Coppola's other winery in Geyserville includes a few free tastings, lots of activities for kids, and an on-site restaurant that emphasizes local ingredients. During the summer, the winery hosts Friday Geyserville Neighbors’ Market, featuring local vendors and live music. In addition to the movie memorabilia display, the winery store stocks an eclectic set of Coppola products, from Mammarella pasta to his favorite brands of pencils and journals.

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