Member Insider FALL 2026
Inside this Issue •
Introducing the Legacy Collection
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Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House – A Legacy Reimagined
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50 Years, 50 Stories
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Derby Day 2026 + Lucky Duck Cocktail Recipe
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Personalize your Gifting with The Duckhorn Collection
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Introducing:
The Legacy Collection “After twelve years as winemaker, the launch of this new Legacy Collection marks an exciting milestone years in the making, showcasing rare, smallproduction wines crafted from iconic Napa Valley vineyard sites with deep historical ties to Duckhorn Vineyards. Designed as a tribute to Dan and Margaret Duckhorn’s Bordeauxinspired roots, the wines emphasize precision winemaking, unique cellar techniques, and top-tier vineyard selection.” – Renée Ary Sr. VP, Luxury Winemaking
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2022 Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard – Block 5 Three Palms Block 5 Merlot represents the next chapter in our decades-long relationship with one of Napa Valley’s most iconic vineyard sites. For years, we have farmed Three Palms blockby-block, fermenting each lot separately and allowing every section of the vineyard to reveal its own character before blending decisions are made. That patient approach led us here: to a singular expression of Block 5, a 14.7-acre parcel at the heart of Three Palms known for its rocky, well-drained soils. Elegant and deeply expressive, this wine captures the purity, structure, and distinction that has made Three Palms legendary. E XPLORE BLOCK 5
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2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon reflects our commitment to crafting wines from Napa Valley’s most celebrated vineyards. First planted in 1868, To Kalon stands among the most revered vineyard sites, celebrated for its remarkable pedigree, complex soils, and ability to produce Cabernet Sauvignon of extraordinary depth and distinction. Powerful yet graceful, it reflects the harmony of history, place, and precision that has made To Kalon legendary. E XPLORE TO K ALON
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2023 50th Anniversary Napa Valley Legacy Blanc Legacy Blanc may be the most quietly compelling of the three. Rooted in the dry-farmed Tofanelli Ranch in Calistoga, a site with more history than headlines, it is a Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blend that channels the same Bordeaux instinct that guided Dan Duckhorn to Three Palms in the first place. Inaugural vintage. 95 points from James Suckling. A white wine made with the same structural ambition we bring to our very best reds. This is not the beginning of something. It is the arrival of something that has been quietly developing for a very long time. FA L L 2 0 2 6
Update:
Duckhorn Estate Renovation A Legacy Reimagined In 1976, Dan & Margaret Duckhorn made a bold bet on Napa Valley. They didn’t just build a winery. They built a home. From the beginning, it was always about the people around the table. Fifty years later, it’s time to reimagine what home can be. Honoring the past. Embracing what has always been within view. Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House
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Reopening 2027! Follow progress and see more of this gorgeous renovation in our 50 Stories video. WAT C H V I D E O
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50 Years, 50 Stories As part of our 50 Years, 50 Stories campaign, we’ve been humbled by the memories our community has brought to us. After a recent visit, longtime club member Lauren Stafford reached out to share her family’s story. We’re honored to pass it along.
What my Dad Passed Down by Lauren Stafford My dad, Ed Gerard, was a Duckhorn man through and through. At every holiday meal, he brought people together — friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, even strangers. The door was always open. Sharing his favorite bottle felt like sharing a secret, an invitation into something richer. His wife Sue was always by his side, ready to pour. They loved to entertain. He was a connoisseur in the truest sense. Dad kept a bottle of Duckhorn Merlot in his private wine locker at Morton’s in Cleveland — part of his personal stash, always ready for a good dinner with good people. A great steak, a great story, and his bottle. That was his signature. My husband Tom is a classically trained chef — executive chef, Marriott; now VP of Food and Beverage for Commonwealth Hotels. Dad loved that Tom was in the business, though he never hesitated to offer direction. From how to spiral-cut a hotdog to achieving the perfect sear on a steak, he had an opinion. And always a Duckhorn pairing to match.
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In 2022, Tom and I visited Napa Valley. Dad made us promise to stop at Duckhorn. We were captivated — the grounds, the people, the wines. That visit became our first wine club membership, and the beginning of an annual tradition. Every year since, we’ve come back and brought something home to share with Dad and Sue: a bottle, a shirt, a small token of the place he loved. In 2024, we lost them both, just months apart. At the celebration of their lives, the stories came easily — travel, laughter, great meals, and the familiar debates over which cheese paired best with which wine. Now, every time we open a bottle, we think of them. Duckhorn Merlot holds a special place, and a standing toast: to live fully, love deeply, and savor the journey with the people who matter most. This year felt especially meaningful. We attended the 50th Anniversary celebration during the Kentucky Derby Release Party — a gift to Tom for his 50th birthday, following my own 50th in the fall. Twentyfive years of marriage, and a family legacy rooted in wine and connection. We dressed in our finest Derby attire, cowboy hats included. I wore my dad’s Stetson. A quiet tribute to the man who would have loved every moment of it: the energy, the storytelling, the laughter, and of course, The Discussion. We left with new friendships, hand-selected bottles, and a deep excitement for what’s still to come. Cheers — and thank you for being part of our story. Every great bottle carries a story. We’d love to hear yours. Share your Duckhorn memory with club manager, Sasha Braden, SBraden@Duckhorn.com
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A Winning Day at the Derby Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the 11th Annual Derby Party and release of our 2022 The Discussion. The energy of race day, paired with great wine and shared celebration, made for an afternoon to remember. From stunning hats to celebratory toasts, our members brought the spirit that makes this event so special year after year.
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Returning by popular demand: VIP Winner’s Circle Quick to sell out, our Winner’s Circle tickets provide a truly elevated experience for those seeking a day of indulgence, comfort and unmatched wine country hospitality. Couldn’t make it this year? Keep an eye on our events calendar for unique and exciting event opportunties.
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Recipe: Lucky Duck Cocktail Featured at this year’s Derby Party, our Lucky Duck Cocktail stars Decoy Featherweight Sauvignon Blanc, vibrant ruby red grapefruit juice, and a splash of club soda. The result is a refreshing, lowalcohol cocktail perfect for Derby or any day! INGREDIENTS Decoy Featherweight Sauvignon Blanc Fresh-squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice Club soda Grapefruit wedges and mint sprigs for garnish HOW TO MAKE A LUCKY DUCK 1. Fill glass with ice 2.
Add 4 ounces of Decoy Featherweight Sauvignon Blanc
3. Add 3 ounces of fresh-squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice 4. Add 1 ounce of club soda 5. Lightly stir and garnish with a grapefruit wedge and a sprig of mint S H O P O U R F E AT H E R W E I G H T C O L L E C T I O N !
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2026 Cruise Recap From all of us at The Duckhorn Portfolio, we want to say a gracious thank you to all those who joined us on our 50th Anniversary Wine Cruise. This year’s Duckhorn Mediterranean Cruise was a truly memorable week filled with exceptional wines, incredible food, beautiful destinations, and most importantly, great company. A few highlights of this year’s cruise included our Winemaker Dinner, where guests enjoyed special wine pairings and stories behind the wines, our educational tasting seminar featuring some of Duckhorn’s most iconic wines, and the opportunity to explore the history, culture, and beauty of Greece and Turkey together. – Eric Hudock, Vice President, Customer Experience Ports of call: Athens, Santorini, Heraklion, Mykonos, Izmir, Istanbul MEMBER INSIDER
Holiday Gifting Thoughtful Gifting, Made Effortless From valued clients and business partners to family and friends, a thoughtful bottle of wine is always in season. Our team can help you create meaningful gifts year-round with curated selections, custom wine choices, elegant packaging, and personalized greetings. Best of all, your club benefits include shipping on every gift order and 15% savings on all current release wines, helping you celebrate every occasion with ease. Contact the Member Services Team for assistance curating your gifting list ( 7 0 7 ) 9 4 5 -1 8 1 2 | C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E @ D U C K H O R N .C O M
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