Our History
Georges and Fernande de Latour
Beaulieu Garden is a private family-owned estate and one of the oldest premium quality wine-producing vineyards in the Napa Valley.
It all started in 1883 when Georges de Latour traveled from his native France to California. This well-educated chemist, who was also refined in the arts and spoke fluent Greek and Latin, continued with his profession as a chemist and executive at Stauffer Chemical Company. He would soon, however, follow his true passion for winemaking.
When the new century had yet to begin, in 1899, the Frenchman began to implement this dream of producing world-class wines. Georges de Latour spent several years analyzing the soils and microclimates of California, specifically in the Napa Valley, before he purchased his first parcel of agricultural land for its unique terroir. He decided to surprise his wife, Fernande, with this stunning piece of land. When she saw the property, she exclaimed, «Quel beau lieu!» “What a beautiful place,” and thus this remarkable, secluded estate in Rutherford had a name.
Into the New Millennium
In 1923, Georges and Fernande's daughter, Hélène, married into the well-established de Pins family in Gascony, in southwestern France. Hélène became the wife of the Marquis de Pins, whose father was the well-known Senator of the Gers Department and whose grandfather was the French Ambassador to Denmark. The de Pins family roots in the wine industry trace back centuries.
The de Pins added to the uniqueness of the Beaulieu property and entertained often, putting the stamp of their personalities on the estate. They continued the family’s multigenerational fascination with the production of world merit wines in this soon-to-be well-known winemaking region of the world.
European Influence
Following their European roots, the family created amazing gardens with the assistance of the world-renowned landscape architect, Thomas D. Church. This talented consultant advised them on the design and implementation of roughly a dozen acres of beautiful landscaping.
Over the decades, Beaulieu continued to expand its vineyard acreage, adding depth to its wine varietals.
The actor and actress spent weeks on location at Beaulieu Vineyard
In 1936, de Latour and his son-in-law, the Marquis de Pins, returned to France and sought a world-class winemaker who understood the high standards of French refined winemaking. They discovered and hired André Victorvich Tchelistcheff, who came to this country with an amazing degree of knowledge in European viticulture and enology.
The de Latour-de Pins and André continued to produce artisan skilled wines which were showcased in Europe and brought prominence to Beaulieu and the Napa Valley.
Famous Visitors
As the winery and estate grew in prominence, visitors such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Admiral C.W. Nimitz, Herbert Hoover, John Foster Dulles, Maurice Chevalier, Edith Piaf, Rock Hudson, members of the Rothschild and Rockefeller families, Prince Faisal Al-Saud, Prince and Princess Rainier Grimaldi of Monaco, and others came to Beaulieu to partake in the fine cuisine and interesting wines.
Dagmar de Pins
As the family grew, the de Pins' daughter, Dagmar, who had a fascination with excellent cuisine and winemaking, worked closely with André Tchelistcheff and the chefs who were employed at the estate.
She also learned about winemaking and sophisticated cuisine at her family’s old, established property, Chateau de Monbrun in southwestern France, which dates back to the 12th century.
Dagmar formed friendships with world-renowned chefs such as James Beard, Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Lorenza de Medici, Marcella Hazan, and others, who came to Beaulieu to partake in the fine wines and interesting cuisine.
Today
Now six generations have been living at Beaulieu and sharing in the family passions of wine and food both in Napa and in Gascony.
Walter H. Sullivan, Jr., Patrick F. Sullivan, Dagmar de Pins Sullivan, Erica Sullivan Fuller, Paula Sullivan Escher, Thomas C. Escher
It is with great pleasure that we continue to share this beautiful property with family, friends, and those who wish to visit us in the world-renowned Napa Valley.