Remaking History

When Claude and Katherine Blankiet bought 46 acres in Yountville in 1996, they aspired to build a world-class winery and a home in the Renaissance style. A decade later. they have achieved their goals and then some: Blankiet Estate vineyards have yielded a cult Cabernet that retails for more than $150 a bottle. and the couple’s home, Castello de Paradiso. is a testament to old-world craftsmanship.

‘Our goal was to create something that looked old, but not phony,’ says Claude, who grew up in Dijon, France (just a short walk from the castle of the Duke of Burgundy). A collector of art and antiques, Claude and his wife Katherine, a former antique store owner, have amassed a world-class collection during their 25 years together. Before pulling down roots in Yountville, the couple made frequent visits to Napa Valley. As oenophiles of the highest order, the Blankiets shared a vision of vineyard living and dreamed of developing their own wine.