Specialising in producing unique Californian Cabernet Sauvignons, Schrader Cellars have seemingly done the impossible. The winery was sold to drinks colossus Constellation brands (“we elevate life with every glass raised”) in 2017 for a whopping $60m, yet does not own a single vine! This will come as no surprise for anyone who follows the comings and goings of Napa Valley wineries, which have shown themselves to be excellent investment opportunities whether you are buying a bottle or an estate.

Schader Cellars is particularly interesting in that it was once half of Colgin-Schrader Cellars. Owner Fred Schrader married Ann Colgin and in 1988 the duo created their eponymous winery. A first, highly acclaimed vintage in 1992 was followed by the dissolution of the marriage (and estate) in 1998. Twenty years on and Schrader remains on top form, a regular feature on America’s most expensive wine list (currently he is second behind Screaming Eagle). The success of his wines has much to do with his viticulturist Thomas Rivers Brown, whom Schrader spotted whilst he was working in a local wine shop. Schrader brought him in on the production side of his wine (despite never having made a Cabernet Sauvignon in his life), and the pair have remained inseparable ever since.

Happily, the sale to Constellation has not changed anything in Schrader’s team, and all the original cast members are still present, including the long term leasing of Beckstoffer Vineyards, where Schrader gets much of his fruit.

Fred Schrader is something of a visionary when it comes to his Cabernet Sauvignons. Exquisitely intense, Old Sparky (Schrader’s nickname and premium product) costs upwards of €500 a bottle upon release and is no stranger to the 100-point Wine Advocate score (achieved three years running in xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx). The only other wine to do this is his second wine, Schrader CCS (named after his wife), which holds fifth place on America’s most expensive wine list. Schrader also has three other wines on there, at numbers 13, 17 and 19, so suffice to say, when considering investing in a Napa Valley wine, Schrader is the Cabernet king.