This year will mark the 20th vintage of Scarecrow, one of Napa’s most sought-after wines. Reflecting back on its earliest days, the success of this iconic brand should be no surprise. The magic actually began 80 years ago, setting into motion a chain of events that resulted in this perennial must-buy for collectors who are lucky enough to be on the mailing list. Today, we dive into the story behind Scarecrow—and offer a rare assortment of the cult wine.

Back in the 1940s, film executive J.J. Cohn came to Napa looking for a weekend home for his growing family. He settled on Rutherford’s west side, and selected a parcel so perfect for viticulture that none other than John Daniel himself—the mastermind behind Inglenook’s return to glory—convinced Cohn to plant the estate to Cabernet. The vineyard was incredibly well tended from its outset, so much so that the perfectionist Daniel secured the grapes for Inglenook. The “old men” vines of this vineyard still produce small amounts of incredible fruit, which today make up Scarecrow.

After great grapes, the most important variable in producing great wine is having a great winemaker—of which Scarecrow has had the same one since their first vintage. Rockstar winemaker Celia Welch has overseen the project since its inception. This continuity has given her deeply intimate knowledge of the vineyard, allowing her to maximize the potential of every single vintage. Need proof of her success? 4 of the last 7 vintages scored 100 points from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate… with the other 3 scoring between 97 and 99. That air is about as rare as it gets.

Production has also remained low, limited by the size of the vineyard and the tiny yields from those ancient vines—hence the demand far outsizing the supply. Owner Bret Lopez is committed to his family’s legacy, continuing to make the best wine every year, so don’t expect any more Scarecrow than Mother Nature and the “old men” decide to grace us with any given vintage. And regarding Lopez’s commitment? As far as we’re concerned, mission very accomplished.