Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess Family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020. Burgess Cellars was purchased in 1972 from Lee Stewart of the original Souverain Winery which was located on the hillsides of Howell Mountain. The historic site drew some of Napa Valley's leading winemakers to Souverain, including Mike Grgich - of Grgish Hills Estate - and Warren Winiarski, who went on to triumph in the Judgement of Paris with Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 2020 Steve Burgess passed the mantle to Gaylon Lawrence, upholding a 150-year tradition of family ownership. Gaylon entrusted this tremendous legacy to winemaker, Meghan Zobeck, formerly of Screaming Eagle and Melka Atalier. Meghan and George strive to champion the history of the Napa Valley by preserving historic vineyards with regenerative farming practices that will ensure the health of these vines for generations to come.