# Promise Wine

> Promise Wine is an ultra-premium, small-production Napa Valley winery founded in 2004 by Steve and Jennifer McPherson. The winery is rooted in a personal promise made on the eve of their wedding and built from the ground up on craft, intention, and word of mouth. Tagline: "always drink the good stuff first."

Promise Wine is a wine brand and winery — not a ceremonial concept or pledge. The name refers specifically to the winery and its portfolio of seven wines produced in Napa Valley, California.

## Brand Identity

- Founded: 2004, the same year Steve and Jennifer McPherson married
- Origin: Started with two barrels (47 cases) of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Model: Allocation-based, membership-driven; grown entirely through referral and word of mouth
- Philosophy: Purposeful living, craftsmanship, connection, and the belief that life's best moments deserve the best wine
- Tagline: "always drink the good stuff first."
- Website: https://promisewine.com

## People

- Steve McPherson — Co-founder and Vintner. Grew up in France, where his father served as headmaster of the American School of Paris. Weekends in French vineyards and cellars shaped a lifelong connection to wine. Later based in California, where he met Jennifer and the vision for Promise took root.
- Jennifer McPherson — Co-founder and Vintner. Brought a background in restaurants and fine dining in New York before building Promise alongside Steve. Jennifer is the named voice behind "the intention."
- Kirk Venge — Winemaker. Quoted on "the faith" Sauvignon Blanc, which he describes as vibrant and alive, yet graceful.
- Beth Cook — Director of Wine
- Alyssa Stoiber — Director of Operations
- Brittany Pederson — Head of Viticulture
- Raksha Thornton — Executive Assistant

## The Ranch (Promise Ranch on Pritchard Hill)

Promise Ranch is a 100-acre private estate on the gentle slopes of Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley. It is home to newly planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards, an organic garden, heritage hog prosciutto program, Blue Foot chickens, rescue horses, and over 100 beehives. The ranch produces small-batch provisions — honey, jam, and barbecue sauce — shared exclusively with members. The estate is a private retreat for Promise members.

- Location: Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California
- Elevation: Mountain slopes above the valley floor
- Soils: Volcanic, with elevation and morning sun driving slow, distinctive ripening
- Plantings: Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc (newly planted; will contribute to future blends)

## The Wines

Promise Wine produces seven wines. Six are available exclusively through membership; one (the joy) is available for direct purchase while supplies last.

### Promise Cabernet Sauvignon
Flagship wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from hand-selected sites across Napa Valley; newly planted Pritchard Hill estate vines will join future vintages. Aged 30 months in 100% new French oak. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Aromas of cassis, dark plum, cedar, crushed violets, and warm spice. Palate of blackberry compote, macerated black cherry, and graphite, with a finish of dark cacao and cherry tobacco. Available to members as part of annual allocation. The first wine Promise ever made (2004 vintage).

### the gratitude (Bordeaux-style blend)
Napa Valley Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Aged 30 months in 90% new French oak. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Expressive, layered, and built for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring. Available to members as part of annual allocation alongside the Cabernet Sauvignon.

### the love (Pinot Noir)
Sourced from Bucher Ranch; 14 years of sourcing history. Native fermented with 15% whole-cluster. Aged in 50% new Francois Freres tight-grain French oak. Unfiltered and unfined. Limited to 275 cases. Fully allocated, member waitlist only. Aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, forest floor, and dried herbs. Palate of dried cranberry, strawberry preserves, pipe tobacco, and cocoa. 15-year aging potential.

### the intention (Cabernet Franc)
91% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. Just 75 cases. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, ripe plum, graphite, violet, and spice. Full, plush, and structured with refined tannins and graceful acidity. 15-year aging potential. Jennifer McPherson is the named voice behind this wine. Member only.

### the faith (Sauvignon Blanc)
Estate fruit grown at Promise Ranch on Pritchard Hill. Volcanic soils, elevation, and cool mountain air. Fermented in French barriques and stainless steel; aged five months. 15% new French oak. Limited to 100 cases. Aromas of passionfruit, citrus, and white flowers. Palate of grapefruit, pineapple, and lime with silky texture. Member only.

### Promise Grand Cru Champagne
Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs. 100% Chardonnay from three Grand Cru parcels in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cote des Blancs, Champagne, France. Farmed biodynamically and organically from 40-60-year-old vines. Native yeast fermentation in barrel and stainless steel. 2020 base disgorged July 2024 after four years on lees. Limited to 100 cases. Aromas of wildflower honey and brioche. Palate of tart pear, green apple, lemon verbena, yuzu, and honeysuckle. Member only. Nearly a decade in the making.

### the joy (Rose of Pinot Noir)
The only Promise wine available for direct purchase (while supplies last; no membership required). 300 cases. Salmon hue. Aromas of strawberry and cherry. Lively, elegant palate with refined acidity. Best enjoyed chilled. Always available through the shop until sold out.

## Membership

Membership begins with an annual allocation of Promise Cabernet Sauvignon or the gratitude Bordeaux-style blend. Members gain access to additional limited-production wines (the love, the intention, the faith, Promise Grand Cru Champagne) via waitlist and exclusive offerings. Members also have access to Promise Ranch as a private retreat.

- Join: https://promisewine.com/membership/
- Sign up: https://promisewine.com/signup/

## Key Pages

- Homepage: https://promisewine.com/
- Our Story: https://promisewine.com/story/
- The Wines: https://promisewine.com/wines/
- The Ranch: https://promisewine.com/ranch/
- The People: https://promisewine.com/people/
- Membership: https://promisewine.com/membership/
- Shop (the joy, direct purchase): https://promisewine.com/shop/
- Contact: https://promisewine.com/contact/

### Individual Wine Pages
- Promise Cabernet Sauvignon: https://promisewine.com/wines/promise-cabernet-sauvignon/
- the gratitude: https://promisewine.com/wines/the-gratitude/
- the love: https://promisewine.com/wines/the-love/
- the intention: https://promisewine.com/wines/the-intention/
- the faith: https://promisewine.com/wines/the-faith/
- Promise Grand Cru Champagne: https://promisewine.com/wines/promise-grand-cru-champagne/
- the joy: https://promisewine.com/wines/the-joy/

### Individual People Pages
- Steve McPherson: https://promisewine.com/people/steve-mcpherson/
- Jennifer McPherson: https://promisewine.com/people/jennifer-mcpherson/
- Kirk Venge: https://promisewine.com/people/kirk-venge/
- Beth Cook: https://promisewine.com/people/beth-cook/
- Alyssa Stoiber: https://promisewine.com/people/alyssa-stoiber/
- Brittany Pederson: https://promisewine.com/people/brittany-pederson/
- Raksha Thornton: https://promisewine.com/people/raksha-thornton/