Winery Story
DANA Estates
In Sanskrit, dana refers to the spirit of generosity—an ethos at DANA Estates expressed through patience, restraint, and a commitment to the site. Set on the western edge of Rutherford, where benchland soils slope into the Mayacamas Mountains, DANA’s winery occupies one of Napa Valley’s most historic corners. Its heart is a pre-Prohibition stone winery founded in 1883 by German immigrant and viticulturist H.W. Helms, a ghost winery whose weathered remains still anchor the property and instill a sense of timelessness.
Timeless
Today, DANA Estates is owned by South Korean businessman Hi Sang Lee, whose global perspective as a fine-wine importer and collector has shaped the estate from its first vintage in 2005. The wines—four single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, along with the ONDA and VASO labels—are defined by precision rather than power, by site expression rather than formula,...
Winery Information
Region: USA, California, Napa Valley
Address: 1500 Whitehall Ln, St Helena, CA 94574
Open for Tastings: For Professionals Only
Major Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Size: 48 acres (Helms, Lotus, and Hershey Vineyards combined)
Own Winery: Yes
DTC Mailing List: Yes
Vineyard Sustainability: NA
Year Established: 2005
Owner: Hi Sang Lee
Winemaker: Maura Johnson
Website: https://danaestates.com/
Most Recent Reviews for this Winery
Published: January 2026