Forman Wines
Ric Forman

In 1983, Ric Forman founded Forman Vineyard to fulfill a dream of producing, as a sole proprietor, small quantities of classically-made Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

After a three-year search in the Napa Valley for the perfect location, Ric purchased the current winery/vineyard site in 1978. Perched on a ridge at the base of Howell Mountain overlooking the town of St. Helena. Forman Vineyard has produced some unusually elegant wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, to Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Ric tends to follow a more traditional approach as opposed to technological one. “I would say that a familiarity with European tradition has seriously influenced my style and hence the fashion with which I designed and built my winery.” Grapes are gently handled from harvest through fermentation—Reds are maintained in a cool, dark and humid environment in deep caves in new French oak barrels. The wines literally age in the soils from which they grew.

Thus, with a strategically situated vineyard and deliberately planned cellar, Ric is fulfilling his dream of personally making sure that each step is without compromise to produce the finest quality wines from Forman Vineyard.