The Story behind the Historic Church Vineyard in Los Carneros
Nestled in the Los Carneros AVA, in Napa Valley Church Vineyard is a 10-acre property owned by Michele and John Anthony Truchard. At its heart stands a historic church, originally built in 1886 in Pennsylvania and carefully relocated to Napa in 2003. The church underwent an exquisite renovation in 2018 after being purchased by the Truchards. Framed by four acres of Sauvignon Blanc vines, this restored building retains its original stained glass windows, bell tower, and soaring 41-foot ceilings. These vines, planted and farmed by John since 2003, produce the coveted John Anthony Church Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and John Anthony Carneros Sauvignon Blanc—two distinct wines grown from the same vineyard, each expressing a unique character of the site.
Why Sauvignon Blanc?
When John Anthony Truchard was just eight years old, he visited Larry Hyde’s vineyard with his father, Tony Truchard. He vividly remembers tasting the highly aromatic Musqué clone of Sauvignon Blanc for the first time. They were so fragrant and flavorful, he decided then he wanted to one day grow them for his own wine label.
That memory stayed with him. In 2003, when John and his wife Michele founded John Anthony Vineyards, his dream became a reality. That same year, John had the opportunity to lease Church Vineyard, and John planted Sauvignon Blanc with the precision of rootstock, trellising, and row orientation to recreate the flavors that inspired him as a boy.
“Church Vineyard is a unique property, both for the historic beauty of the church surrounded by vines, but also the terroir and micro-climate in Carneros, which produces exquisite, high-quality Sauvignon Blanc,” said John Anthony Truchard. “The wine we make from this vineyard has consistently received some of the top scores for Sauvignon Blancs since its first vintage of 2005.”
Church Vineyard comprises two acres of richly-bodied Musqué clone Sauvignon Blanc and two acres of high-toned, aromatic Western clone. The Western clone contributes brightness and a great backbone of acidity, while the Musqué clone, known for smaller berries and lower yields, brings floral aromatics and a rich body. This unique vineyard experiences a maritime climate with winds from the San Pablo Bay, and a rich terroir with clay and loam soils that has consistently showcased its exceptional quality through nine vintages of dynamic Sauvignon Blancs.
The Wines behind Church Vineyard—Two Distinct Wines, One Vineyard
Two distinct expressions—John Anthony Carneros Sauvignon Blanc and John Anthony Church Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc—are crafted from fruit sourced from the Church Vineyard. The 2024 John Anthony Carneros Sauvignon Blanc is bright and aromatic, with notes of lemon tart, kaffir lime, and citrus blossom. The palate is crisp with summer fruits, balanced by grapefruit, lemon zest, and a slate-driven finish. Made from 74% Western clone and 26% Musqué clone, this wine showcases vibrant texture and refreshing acidity that lead to a clean finish. It is aged primarily in stainless steel, with 13% barrel fermentation in neutral French oak using X5 yeast for three months. A total of 933 cases were produced.
The 2024 Church Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is a limited-production wine with only 244 cases made, crafted exclusively from the Musqué clone. It shows pale golden to deep straw hues with layered aromas of apricot, honeydew, apple butter, and chevre. The palate unfolds with golden kiwi, baked peach, passionfruit, key lime pie, and tarragon, framed by rich spice notes. In contrast to the Carneros Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is 100% barrel-fermented—using 8% New French Oak (50% Sylvain and 50% Maury & Fils), 27% once-used French Oak, 46% Neutral French Oak, and 9% French Acacia using VL3 yeast. Partial malolactic fermentation (45%) adds roundness and a soft, creamy texture as the wine unwinds with balance and a lasting finish.
Church Vineyard represents the heart of John Anthony Vineyards—heritage, precision winegrowing, meticulous winemaking, and the pursuit of crafting excellence in every bottle. Visit the John Anthony Vineyards tasting room to learn more about Church Vineyard and the history behind these remarkable wines.