The History of Night Harvest by R.H. Phillips

In 1947, the Giguiere family began ranching in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County, which is located due east of Napa Valley across the Vaca Mountains. Here, in an idyllic agricultural region, they raised sheep and grew wheat until brothers Karl and John Giguiere were bitten by the wine bug in 1981. They planted ten acres of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, which were the first wine grapes cultivated in the region since Prohibition. Two years later, in 1983, the brothers harvested their first grapes in a very innovative way – not under the hot sun, but beneath the starry night sky!

Initially intending to sell all their grapes to other wineries, the brothers soon realized that America’s growing thirst for premium wine provided them with an opportunity to produce and sell their own wines. As a result, in 1984, John and Karl established R.H. Phillips Winery. Just steps from the family’s estate vineyard, it was named for Karl and John’s maternal grandfather, who had inspired their love of farming.

Since its inception, R.H. Phillips has stood for quality, authenticity and innovation. Our new name, Night Harvest by R.H. Phillips, and packaging (but same great wines!), embrace these qualities while paying tribute to our 25-year history of harvesting at night and celebrating the romance and tradition of picking under the night sky.

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©2007 Night Harvest