ABOUT
Copper Bear is the passion project of Napa Valley Winemaker Jesse Giacomelli, a limited production winery handcrafting small lot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from some of the most prized vineyards in the world.
Copper Bear’s ethos is rooted in crafting small lot wines from Napa Valley’s historic vineyards, including several Beckstoffer Heritage properties. These vineyards have the ideal microclimates, gravelly loam soils, and precision viticulture to provide the ideal expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Copper Bear produces fewer than 500 cases per year, allowing for Jesse’s detailed, high touch winemaking. The resulting wines are elegant and lush, with softly textured tannins that will continue to mellow with age.
Jesse has been making wine for over 15 years, with experience in Napa, Sonoma, and internationally in Argentina. He has trained under several world renown winemakers, including Consulting Winemakers Benoit Touquette and Aaron Pott, and currently works as Winemaker for Beckstoffer Vineyards in Rutherford, Napa Valley. He earned his Master's Degree in Viticulture & Enology at UC Davis.
“Jesse is crafting beautifully balanced, complex, clean, and modern Napa Valley wines…I found this to be among the most promising small wineries anywhere in the valley, not only for the sourcing but also the talent and the execution – the wines are lovely.”
-Jim Silver, Wine Journalist, 4/7/25