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Our Story

For nearly two hundred years – spanning six generations – the Navarro family has cultivated the earth in celebration of their agrarian roots.

Meet the Family ⟶

Our Roots Run Deep

The Navarro family’s history is deeply rooted in the land. From Spain to Mexico, this particular branch of an extensive family tree reaches back six generations. They settled in La Barca, Jalisco and relocated to Santa Cruz de Las Flores, Jalisco after crossing the Atlantic to a widely agrarian community. 

In 1976, Rafael II, wife Norma Navarro, and son Rafael II, first generation, settled in and made Temecula, California home. With its rich Mediterranean climate interest amongst wine cultivators grew. Soon grapes were competing head-to-head with the longstanding and popular citrus and avocado farmers in the region. Today, it is known as Southern California’s wine country and the Navarro’s have returned to the land to produce the region’s finest low-intervention wines as a continuation of their agricultural heritage.

The Navarro Family Vineyards, founded in Temecula Valley in 2015 by Rafael Navarro III, is focused on the production of premium tuscan-inspired wine. The valley serves as the backdrop for their Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino clone vines. Here, they honor ancient Italian winemaking traditions. However, while continuing to push the envelope through innovation and experimentation under the watchful eye of famed enologist, Dottore Enrique Ferro, 64th generation winemaker from Piemonte, Italy. 

Production began in 2015 and followed in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, with the first estate bottling in 2020. In early 2023, Navarro passed the torch to his eldest daughter, Alexa-Rae, taking over as Managing Director of the Navarro Family Vineyards. 

Their highly lauded  Sangiovese offers aromas of black berries, black cherry, black currants and blueberries with hints of tobacco and baking spice. Full-bodied, it has a long, balanced flavorful finish, presenting a truly, polished, and perfect red. 

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Alexa-Rae Navarro Brogden

The Next Generation

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Rafael Navarro II

The Patriarch

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Rafael Navarro III

The Visionary

The Label

The Navarro Family Vineyards’ label is a homage to the familial history discovered on missions to Mexico to uncover ancestral lineage. 

Much of their history was destroyed in the 19th century by the Spanish Cristeros, however, a particular symbol and recurring theme of discussion with family members uncovered and interviewed in the discovery process was the mythical shape-shifting Tecolote. Spanish for owl, the tecolote is displayed on Santa Cruz’s coat of arms. 

The vivid discussions impressed the shape shifting creatures’ influence on the surviving centenarians to the point that Rafael III felt compelled to make it the focus of the family wine legacy project. 

To bring together the threads of information gathered, he has woven a powerful image full of rich symbolism to create the label. 

Proudly displayed front and center, we find the owl, the generational ‘spirit animal,’ and a nod to Santa Cruz. The letter N acts as a shield, a sign of protection to those he cherishes the most – his family. The owl’s wings represent laurels, signifying victory and strength as well as deftness and speed. The crown and three stars serve as a nod to his children and thus future legacy. In early 2023, Navarro passed the torch to his eldest daughter, Alexa-Rae, taking over as Managing Director of the Navarro Family Vineyards. 

Rooted in Tradition

Grown with Innovation

Elevate your palate and expand your cellar with The Navarro Family Vineyards Sangiovese

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