Awards & Recognition
Napa Valley Wine Awards &
Critical Recognition
For more than four decades, Paloma Vineyard has farmed steep mountain vineyards high above the fog on Spring Mountain. Since first planting vines in 1983 — and producing our first vintage in 1994 — we have remained committed to careful farming, patient winemaking, and mountain-grown character. Now into our third generation of farmers and winemakers, that commitment continues.
Along the way, respected wine critics, publications, and retailers have taken notice.
We are grateful for the recognition. We remain focused on the work.
Noteworthy Wine Reviews & Awards for Paloma Vineyard
For nearly 30 years, our wines have been consistently reviewed by accredited wine publications, with average scores landing in the low to mid 90s across vintages.
While no single number defines a wine, sustained critical recognition over decades speaks to something deeper: careful farming, patient aging, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
The scores may vary vintage to vintage. The standard does not.
Consistently Highly Rated Napa Valley Wines for Nearly 30 Years
Wine Spectator Wine of the Year – A Defining Moment for Spring Mountain Merlot
In 2003, our 2001 Merlot was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator.
For a small, family-run Napa Valley winery, it was an extraordinary honor — one that helped shine a national spotlight on Spring Mountain District Merlot.
That vintage remains a milestone, but it was not the only one.
Multiple Top 100 Wines from a Family-Owned Napa Estate
Recognized by Wine Spectator:
- 2001 Merlot – Wine of the Year, #1 Top 100 Wines in the World in 2003
- 2002 Merlot – #56 Top 100 Wines in the World in 2004
- 2006 Merlot – #65 Top 100 Wines in the World in 2009
Three Top 100 placements from a single-vineyard, family-owned estate is rare — and deeply meaningful to our family.
Recent Napa Valley Wine Reviews
Two decades after Wine of the Year, contemporary releases continue to earn strong critical praise.
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon – 93 Points Wine Spectator & Wine Advocate
93 Points — Wine Spectator
“There’s a lovely, savory sparkle to this version, which relies on red currant and bitter plum fruit for its core, while sage, bay and wet conifer accents are sprinkled liberally throughout. The sleek finish shows a subtle twang of iron. A pretty Cabernet. Drink now through 2035.” — Tim Fish
93 Points — Wine Advocate
“Marked by hints of mint and pencil shavings, the nose also offers up attractive cherry and olive notes. It's a full-bodied but streamlined wine… featuring ripe, silky-textured tannins and a long, softly dusty finish. Pricing is more than competitive, so readers should take note.” — Joe Czerwinski
2021 Merlot – 94 Points Wine Spectator | 93 Points Wine Advocate | 95 Points NYIWC
94 Points — Wine Spectator
“Rich and plush in texture, with generous, multilayered flavors of red currant and cherry laced with spicy cinnamon and mocha espresso. Finishes with polished tannins. Drink now through 2031.” — Tim Fish
93 Points — Wine Advocate
“Exotic rose-like floral notes emerge on the nose… silky, well-rounded characteristics of ripe Merlot, plump and full-bodied, with a lingering, supple, mocha-tinged finish. Pricing is very reasonable for the quality and pedigree... After more than a decade without coverage, Wine Advocate’s return to Paloma in 2025 marked a meaningful reintroduction to a new generation of readers.” — Joe Czerwinski
95 Points — New York International Wine Competition
Double Gold & Best in Class
Awarded Double Gold and Best in Class honors at the New York International Wine Competition, a respected trade-judged event recognizing excellence among global submissions.
Media Recognition & Industry Features for Paloma Vineyard
While scores are one measure, we are equally honored when writers, retailers, and industry voices choose to tell our story.
Golden Gate Wine Cellars – Top 25 Wine Selections
- Top 25 Wines of 2023
- Top 25 Wines of 2024
Being selected in consecutive years by a curated specialty retailer reinforces something important to us: consistency across vintages.
Peninsula Underground – Best Overall & Best Value Recognition
2021 Merlot — Best Overall & Best Value
Selected as the Top Wine Overall in the Under the Radar California tasting series by Peninsula Underground.
Recognition that highlights both quality and value aligns closely with our philosophy of fair pricing and mountain-grown excellence.
Featured in Napa Valley & Wine Industry Publications
Paloma Vineyard has been highlighted in respected regional and national outlets, including:
- Visit Napa Valley
- Top 15 Small Wineries in Napa Valley
- Secret Wineries of Napa Valley
- Best Scenic Drives of Napa Valley
- Wine Tastings $50 and under
- Venü Magazine — Venü Explores Napa and Sonoma 2.0
- The Napa Wine Project
- Napa Valley Register
- The Vines of St Helena: Sheldon Richards of Paloma Vineyard
- Spring Mountain District: The mystique of ‘mountain grapes’
- Fermentation — Dear Subscriber: Here Are Your Wines
Each feature reflects a different facet of who we are — mountain-grown fruit, family stewardship, and wines built to age.
A Brief History of Merlot at Paloma
First Merlot Vines Take Root
1983
Jim & Barbara purchased 17 acres of land at the very top of Spring Mountain. After a few years of hard labor clearing, terracing, and planting, 12.5 of those will soon be planted with a mix of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
First Vintages
1994
Jim and Barbara make 575 cases of their first vintage of Paloma Merlot. After a decade of living apart to get the business off the ground, they finally built their forever home and made Paloma Vineyard their full-time residence.
Wine Spectator: Wine of the Year
2003
The 2003 edition of Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines in the World” names Paloma’s 2001 Merlot “Wine of the Year“.
Wine Spectator: Top 100 Wine in the World
2004
In 2004, the 2002 Paloma Merlot was named to the Wine Spectator's "Top 100 Wines in the World" for a second time, at number 56.
Wine Spectator: Top 100 Wine in the World
2009
In 2009, the 2006 Paloma Merlot was named to the Wine Spectator's "Top 100 Wines in the World" for a third time, at number 65.
A New Generation of Merlot
2016
Paloma officially passes to the second generation, Jim and Barbara's son, Sheldon Richards who continues to honor and build upon his parents’ remarkable legacy.
A Vintage to Remember, A Vineyard Renewed
2025
The 2021 Paloma Merlot earned 94 points from Wine Spectator—our second-highest score ever, only outdone by the 2001 "Wine of the Year". In the same year, we began the first major replanting of the vineyard in nearly four decades.
Mountain-Grown Napa Valley Wines with Lasting Recognition
Awards are gratifying. Media stories are appreciated.
But the recognition that matters most is the continued trust of collectors and guests who return vintage after vintage.
That is what allows us to keep farming these mountain terraces the way we always have.
