James W. Allen

James W. Allen was the founder, owner, and winemaker
of Sequoia Grove Winery from 1979-2004.
Jim had a passion for wine and a love for
Bordeaux. He sought Andre Tchelistcheff
to consult, and erected a little production facility
on 24 acres of land - dead center in the middle
of premium cabernet country -- Napa Valley.
Cabernet Sauvignon was just becoming fashionable
in the U.S., as was wine drinking, so it might be said that James Allen was modern day pioneer of Rutherford Cabernet. “ We were just discovering the region as Cabernet land”, remembers Steve Allen, who has served as Sequoia Grove’s vineyard manager since its beginning. (1)
During his working years he spent a lot of time to educate people on new markets like Poland (Przedsiebiorstwo Winiarskie "SENECLAUZE" Co. Ltd.)- it was first introduction of the high quality wines from California in Poland.
Thanks to his educational visits he gave a knowledge to many Poles and waiters of Polish gastronomy: Warsaw:Hotel Marriott, Bristol Hotel, Belvedere Restaurant, Gdansk: Pod Lososiem, Major, Bryza, Poznan: Park Hotel... and many others...(Jan Witkowski- form Comm. Dir. of PW Seneclauze)
Wine history
Jim Allen researched the possibilities of growing vinifera grapes in states such as Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, but discouraged by the nasty winters in those areas, he and his wife moved to the Napa Valley. They bought a 22-acre vineyard with a nineteenth-century barn, surrounded by ancient Sequoia trees. They were joined by Jim’s brother Steve, who took charge of the vineyard. The barn was quickly converted into the winery for the first crush in 1980. The vineyards, some of which already contained ten-year-old Chardonnay vines, have been replanted to more Chardonnay and red Bordeaux varieties. (2)
Some of the greatest achievements of Sequoia Grove winery under the leadership of James Allen were: “ American Winery of the Year” (Wine & Spirits), “Cream of the California Cabernet Crop” (The Wine Spectator), “America’s Most Consistent Cabernet Producers” (Wine & Spirits), “Best 1991 California Chardonnay” (Quarterly Review of Wine), “The Top 10 Best Bets” ( Bon Appetit), “ Top 100 Wines in the World” ( The Wine Spectator)
Chardonnay
The Sequoia Grove Chardonnay of Jim Allen combined authoritative flavors with finesse and grace. This family-owned winery in Rutherford was making its best Chardonnay from Rutherford grapes, with their ripe, rich, and complex flavors.
A second Chardonnay from Carneros-grown grapes, from vineyards managed by the Allen family, was introduced in 1985. It showcased the crisper acidity of Carneros grapes.
After years of talking about making wines of greater delicacy and finesse, many California winemakers succeeded in 1988. Among the many stars to choose from, the very finest include Sequoia Grove Napa Valley. “ The 1988 is the finest I’ve tasted from the Allen Family, a deeply concentrated and complex wine that should age for up to a decade” wrote James Laube, highly respected wine critic for The Wine Spectator. (3)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sequoia Grove is located in the Rutherford district, most superb microclimate, similar to that of Pauillac in Bordeaux, and midway between Rutherford and Oakville on the famous Rutherford Bench. The major part of the vineyard is planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, with an appropriate number of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec vines under cultivation to make Sequoia Grove’s Bordeaux blend.
Sequoia Grove released its first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1980 and the winery quickly became known throughout the world for its traditional, Old World approach to winemaking and over the years yielded award winning wines of depth and elegance. The Estate Bottling was selected America’s Best Cabernet Sauvignon on its first release in 1985, and several years later Sequoia Grove was selected winery of the year(4).
In the 1990’s Sequoia Grove continued it’s tradition of producing award winning wines—especially its Cabernets. Among many accolades were gold at the Concurs Mondial Bruxelles, 1999; and 94 points for 1997 Reserve, Wine Enthusiast, November, 2000. (5)
In 2003 Sequoia Grove 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon was accorded “Best of The Best” award by the Quarterly Review of Wines.
After nine months of blind tasting, after tasting all the major varietals, after more than 700 wines, QRW’s 19th Annual Best of The Best in California was completed. The same year 1999 Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Rutherford/Napa Valley) was awarded the “Best of The Best/5 star” prize. (6)

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