There are certain names in wine that move beyond reputation and into legend. Screaming Eagle is one of them.

Founded in 1986 by Jean Phillips, a Napa Valley real estate agent with a sharp eye for exceptional vineyard land, the estate sits in the heart of Oakville. What began as 57 acres of vines—most of which were initially sold to other producers—quietly shifted direction when Phillips decided to bottle a small parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon under her own label. Just one acre. Around 80 vines. The first vintage, 1992, was released in 1995 and awarded 99 points by Robert Parker. Almost overnight, Screaming Eagle became a global reference point for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

From the outset, the approach has been meticulous. Early winemaking was led by Heidi Peterson Barrett, followed by Andy Erickson, with vineyard management under the respected David Abreu. Since 2011, Nick Gislason has overseen the wines, continuing a philosophy centred on precision, restraint, and absolute attention to detail. Ownership changed in 2006, when the estate was acquired by Stan Kroenke and Charles Banks, with Kroenke becoming sole proprietor in 2009. Throughout these transitions, the focus has remained unchanged: produce the best possible expression of this site.

Today, 48 acres are planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The vineyard’s south-west facing aspect and complex mix of gravel, loam and clay soils allow for even ripening and remarkable consistency. Yields are low. Selection is uncompromising. Only the very best fruit is retained or the grand vin, with production typically between 700 and 1,000 cases per year. A Merlot-dominant wine, now called The Flight, was introduced in 2006, and a tiny production Sauvignon Blanc followed in 2012.

Scarcity is part of the story, but it is not the whole story. What makes Screaming Eagle so sought after is the combination of site, discipline, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. The wines are powerful yet composed, deeply concentrated yet polished, built to age and often defined by extraordinary purity of fruit. Critical acclaim has been consistent, with multiple near-perfect and perfect scores across vintages, reinforcing its standing among the world’s most collectible wines.

For collectors, Screaming Eagle represents more than Napa Valley prestige. It is a benchmark of modern Californian fine wine — rare, meticulously crafted, and fiercely protected in its distribution. Allocation is tight. Demand is global. Bottles rarely linger on the secondary market.

Normanby, we are drawn to producers who have shaped the conversation around fine wine. Screaming Eagle is undeniably one of them — a winery that, in a remarkably short time, secured its place among the most coveted names in the world.