Winery Information for: Blackbird Vineyards

Winery Location: United States: California: North Coast: Napa County: Napa Valley
Winery Founded: 1/1/2003
Winery Founded by: Michael Polenske
Winery Current Owner: John and Julia Hinshaw
Winery Description: Situated in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District, Blackbird Vineyards specializes in crafting Bordeaux-inspired wines, particularly focusing on Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon blends. The name "Blackbird" is a nod to the French term "merle," meaning blackbird, reflecting the winery's emphasis on Merlot. Under the expertise of winemaker Aaron Pott since 2006, Blackbird produces a range of wines, including their flagship blends: Arise, Illustration, Paramour, and Contrarian. The estate's 10-acre vineyard, originally planted in 1997, serves as the foundation for their artisanal approach, emphasizing quality and elegance in every bottle.
Winery Web site URL: https://www.blackbirdvineyards.com
Winery Mailing List URL: https://www.blackbirdvineyards.com/signup/
X, formerly known as Twitter URL: https://x.com/BlackBirdWine
Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/BlackbirdVineyards
Instagram URL: https://www.instagram.com/blackbirdvineyards
Yelp URL:
Pinterest URL:
YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/BlackbirdWines/videos
Tripadvisor URL:

Last updated information for this winery on: 4/3/2025

Blackbird Vineyards wine releases

2025 Wine Releases
  • January 2025;
  • February 2025;
  • March 2025;
  • April 2025; 2024 Napa Valley Rutherford Pestoni Ranch Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (4/3/2025, 200 cases, $50)
  • May 2025;
  • June 2025;
  • July 2025;
  • August 2025;
  • September 2025;
  • October 2025;
  • November 2025;
  • December 2025;

2024 Wine Releases

2023 Wine Releases

2022 Wine Releases
  • January 2022;
  • February 2022; 2019 Napa Valley Arise Red Wine ($55)
  • March 2022; 2021 Arriviste Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Zinfandel/Merlot/Petit Verdot (19,000 cases, $28)
  • April 2022;
  • May 2022; 2021 Sonoma County Knights Valley Dissonance Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon ($32)
  • June 2022;
  • July 2022;
  • August 2022;
  • September 2022;
  • October 2022;
  • November 2022;
  • December 2022;

2021 Wine Releases
  • January 2021;
  • February 2021;
  • March 2021;
  • April 2021;
  • May 2021;
  • June 2021;
  • July 2021;
  • August 2021;
  • September 2021; 2018 Napa Valley Vineyards Illustration Proprietary Red Blend ($90), 2018 Napa Valley Paramour Proprietary Red Blend (55 cases, $135), 2018 Napa Valley Contrarian Proprietary Red Blend (48 cases, $135)
  • October 2021;
  • November 2021;
  • December 2021;

2020 Wine Releases

2019 Wine Releases

2018 Wine Releases

2017 Wine Releases

2016 Wine Releases

2015 Wine Releases

2014 Wine Releases

2013 Wine Releases

2012 Wine Releases

2011 Wine Releases
  • January 2011;
  • February 2011;
  • March 2011;
  • April 2011;
  • May 2011;
  • June 2011;
  • July 2011; 2010 Napa Valley Arriviste Rose ($24)
  • August 2011;
  • September 2011;
  • October 2011;
  • November 2011;
  • December 2011;

2010 Wine Releases

2009 Wine Releases
  • January 2009;
  • February 2009;
  • March 2009; 2008 Napa Valley Arriviste Proprietary Rose Wine
  • April 2009;
  • May 2009;
  • June 2009;
  • July 2009;
  • August 2009;
  • September 2009;
  • October 2009;
  • November 2009;
  • December 2009;

2008 Wine Releases
  • January 2008;
  • February 2008;
  • March 2008;
  • April 2008;
  • May 2008;
  • June 2008;
  • July 2008;
  • August 2008;
  • September 2008; 2006 Napa Valley Arise Proprietary Red Wine, 2006 Napa Valley Contrarian Proprietary Red Wine, 2006 Napa Valley Paramour Proprietary Red Wine, 2006 Napa Valley Illustration Proprietary Red Wine
  • October 2008;
  • November 2008;
  • December 2008;

2007 Wine Releases

2006 Wine Releases
  • January 2006;
  • February 2006;
  • March 2006;
  • April 2006;
  • May 2006;
  • June 2006;
  • July 2006;
  • August 2006;
  • September 2006; 2004 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine
  • October 2006;
  • November 2006;
  • December 2006;

2005 Wine Releases
  • January 2005;
  • February 2005;
  • March 2005;
  • April 2005;
  • May 2005;
  • June 2005;
  • July 2005;
  • August 2005;
  • September 2005;
  • October 2005;
  • November 2005;
  • December 2005; 2003 Oak Knoll District Merlot

2004 Wine Releases

2003 Wine Releases

2002 Wine Releases

2001 Wine Releases

2000 Wine Releases