Elizabeth Tangney Directs Vineyard Replanting at Silverado Vineyards
Elizabeth Tangney now leads the viticulture and winemaking operations at Silverado Vineyards in Napa Valley. She serves as the Director of Winemaking and Vineyard Manager for the historic Stags Leap District estate. Her dual role marks a shift in how Foley Family Wines manages its flagship properties. This transition matters because Silverado Vineyards is undergoing its most significant operational change in forty years.
Tangney joined the winery in late 2023 following the acquisition by Foley Family Wines in 2022. She replaced long-time winemaker Jon Emmerich. Emmerich spent over thirty years at the property. The appointment of Tangney signaled a move toward integrated estate management. She oversees both the cellar and the three hundred acres of estate vines.
Foley Family Wines purchased the winery from the Miller family. Ron and Diane Miller founded the estate in 1981. Diane Miller was the daughter of Walt Disney. The sale included the winery building and four estate vineyards. These properties span the Stags Leap District, Yountville, and Coombsville.
Tangney brought experience from Cornell Vineyards on Spring Mountain. She also worked at Sinegal Estate and Bryant Family Vineyard. Her background emphasizes mountain viticulture and site-specific winemaking. At Silverado, she manages a much larger footprint than her previous roles.
The estate includes the Silverado Vineyard in the Stags Leap District. This site contains one hundred acres of vines. It is the home of the UCD 30 Cabernet Sauvignon clone. The industry often calls this the Solo clone. It was the first Cabernet clone named after a vineyard. Tangney is currently evaluating these blocks for replanting. Some vines have reached the end of their productive lives.
The Miller Ranch vineyard sits in the Yountville appellation. It covers ninety acres of land. This site produces Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The soil consists of Bale clay loam. Tangney has implemented new canopy management techniques here. She aims to improve airflow and fruit exposure.
Mt. George Vineyard is located in the Coombsville region. It was the first vineyard planted in this area in the nineteenth century. It sits on the slopes of an extinct volcano. The soil is composed of tuff and volcanic ash. This site primarily grows Merlot. Tangney uses the fruit to add structure to the estate blends.
The Borreo Vineyard is the fourth estate property. It is located in the Soda Canyon area. It was originally planted by Felix Borreo in 1888. The site is known for Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. These diverse locations provide Tangney with a broad range of blending components.
WineBusiness reported that Tangney is focusing on soil health. She has introduced cover crops to increase organic matter. She also uses precision irrigation technology. These tools help reduce water waste during dry years. The goal is to create a more resilient farming system.
In the cellar, Tangney has updated several processes. She introduced optical sorting for the estate fruit. This technology removes underripe berries and stems. It ensures only the highest quality grapes enter the tanks. She has also experimented with different fermentation vessels. This includes concrete eggs and larger oak casks.
The winemaking style is shifting toward more balance. Tangney prefers moderate alcohol levels. She uses less new French oak than previous regimes. This allows the fruit from the Stags Leap District to lead the profile. The wines show more freshness and acidity.
The local industry views this change as a modernization of a legacy brand. Silverado Vineyards helped define the Stags Leap District in the 1980s. It was a leader in Napa Valley for decades. The acquisition by Bill Foley provided the capital needed for updates. Foley owns over twenty wineries across California, Oregon, and Washington.
His portfolio includes Ferrari-Carano and Chalk Hill. Silverado serves as a cornerstone of his Napa Valley holdings. The investment in Tangney’s dual role suggests a long-term commitment to quality. Managing both the vines and the wine allows for better consistency.
The Stags Leap District is a small but influential region. it contains only 2,700 acres of vines. The area is known for its distinct microclimate. Cold air from San Pablo Bay gets trapped against the Palisades cliffs. This creates a large diurnal temperature swing. It helps the grapes maintain acidity while developing tannins.
Tangney is also addressing virus issues in older blocks. Leafroll virus and Red Blotch can impact fruit ripening. She is systematically replacing affected vines with clean nursery stock. This process takes years of planning. It requires significant financial investment.
The 2024 and 2025 harvests were her first full cycles at the estate. These vintages show a move toward more site-driven character. Local distributors have noted the change in the wine's structure. The 2026 release of the Solo Cabernet Sauvignon will be a key indicator. It will show the results of her early vineyard work.
Silverado Vineyards remains open for public tastings. The winery sits on a hill overlooking the Silverado Trail. It attracts thousands of visitors annually. The hospitality team now focuses on educating guests about Tangney’s farming practices. They highlight the differences between the four estate vineyards.
This leadership change reflects broader trends in Napa Valley. Large family estates are often sold to corporate groups. These transitions bring new resources and talent. Tangney represents a new generation of winemakers. They combine technical viticulture with traditional cellar techniques.
The work at Mt. George is particularly important for the Merlot program. Coombsville became an official AVA in 2011. It is a cooler region than the rest of Napa Valley. This climate is ideal for Merlot and Syrah. Tangney is leveraging this cool-climate fruit to add complexity.
The Borreo Vineyard offers a link to Napa’s history. The stone cellar on that property dates back to the nineteenth century. Tangney respects this heritage while using modern data. She monitors vine stress with sap flow sensors. This data informs her irrigation decisions.
Bill Foley’s strategy involves building a diverse portfolio. Each winery maintains its own identity. Tangney has the autonomy to shape the Silverado style. She reports to the Foley Family Wines executive team. However, she remains the primary architect of the estate’s future.
The local community in Napa closely watches these transitions. Silverado is a major employer in the region. The health of the estate impacts local suppliers and neighbors. Tangney’s focus on sustainable farming has received positive feedback. It aligns with the growing demand for environmentally conscious wine.
Replanting will continue in phases over the next decade. Tangney must balance production needs with vineyard health. Removing too many vines at once would reduce wine availability. She uses a staggered approach to maintain inventory.
The integration of vineyard and winery management is a proven model. It reduces communication gaps between the field and the cellar. Tangney can make real-time adjustments during the growing season. She knows exactly how a heatwave in Yountville will affect the wine.
Silverado Vineyards is positioned for a second era of growth. The combination of Foley’s resources and Tangney’s expertise is effective. The estate remains a vital part of the Stags Leap District. Its evolution reflects the changing landscape of California winemaking.
[^1]: WineBusiness - https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/278546 [^2]: Foley Family Wines - https://foleyfamilywines.com/news/silverado-vineyards-names-elizabeth-tangney-director-of-winemaking-and-vineyard-manager/ [^3]: Napa Valley Register - https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/business/agriculture/foley-family-wines-buys-silverado-vineyards/article_24524830-089c-11ed-8a1a-4f5139036c0d.html