William and Leticia Jarvis
Proprietors

William was born in Oklahoma, a dry state! So when the Navy took him to California he enjoyed wine for the first time. He probably appreciated it more at that time than those who grew up with wine.

After his stint in the Navy, William continued his studies in both technical and liberal arts at The University of California Berkeley, Stanford and French Universities, where his courses covered such diverse subjects as Greek philosophy, particle physics, music theory, and electronics. Turning to business, he headed his own telecommunications company, which was involved with international business.

Leticia was born in Pueblo, Mexico where she finished her college degree and then met William.

After marriage, William and Leticia traveled and studied abroad, finally adopting France for a part time residence. For a number of years they maintained a Louis XIV Chateau in the Vesle Valley near Reims in Northern France. The two spent time at French Universities concentrating on their shared interest, French literature. They also enjoyed the many wines found in the different regions which they visited, eventually gravitating to the fine Bordeaux reds and Montrachet whites.

Not to neglect their Spanish culture, Leticia, William, and their young son William, spent summer months in Spain. There they studied Spanish literature at Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain, and also came to appreciate Spanish wines and Zarzuela (Spanish opera).

The two eventually acquired a weekend estate in Napa and bit by bit got into the culture of winemaking. They spent a lot of time studying how to best plant a vineyard. Next came a careful 10 years of nurturing a vineyard and finally the winery itself, underground for the right cool, humid conditions, and with a combination of the latest rotary fermenters while at the same time classic oak cuves from Cognac.

Their other important activity is a music conservatory they founded in Napa, California. Housed in a 100-year-old stone winery building, the Conservatory conducts master classes in the various arts that go to make up operas. Their annual opera workshops culminated in area-wide “Festivals of the Zarzuela” bringing Spanish opera to the United States. A Baroque Dance Workshop followed. Leticia is now bringing new art film presentations to Napa including current Metropolitan Opera productions sent by way of the internet in High Definition.

Both the winery and the conservatory draw upon a lifetime of education and are part of the Jarvis’ celebration of the things they enjoy in life.