A Milestone Year for Premiere Napa Valley
Now in its 30th year, Premiere Napa Valley remains one of the most prestigious trade auctions in the world. More than 1,000 restaurateurs and wine retailers traveled from 25 states and 12 countries to bid on 181 one-of-a-kind lots. Each lot ranged from 60 to 240 bottles, crafted exclusively for the event. The energy in the room reflected something deeper than commerce. As vintner Paula Kornell put it, “There is joy here. There is an extra spark today. People are happy to be here.”
Indeed, that joy was palpable. The 2026 auction also marked the debut of the 2024 vintage on the trade stage. Buyers received their first formal introduction to wines from a growing season that is already generating considerable excitement. It was a fitting backdrop for Alpha Omega’s continued presence among the day’s top red wine lots.
Alpha Omega Among the Day’s Top Lots
Alpha Omega was named among the top red wine lots of the day. That recognition places the winery in distinguished company, alongside Robert Mondavi Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Quintessa, Silver Oak, and a select group of Napa Valley’s finest producers. For a family-owned boutique winery on the Rutherford Bench, that acknowledgment is not taken lightly.
At Alpha Omega, every wine crafted for Premiere Napa Valley reflects the same philosophy that drives our entire portfolio. Head winemaker Melissa Paris and consulting winemaker Andy Erickson draw on some of Napa Valley’s most celebrated vineyard sites. From the volcanic soils of Atlas Peak to the deep, gravelly benchland of Rutherford, each lot tells the story of a specific place in a specific year. That precision is what earns a paddle raise in a room full of the world’s most discerning trade buyers.
Explore our single vineyard collection to understand the depth of terroir that informs every Alpha Omega wine, from Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville to the rugged elevation of the Cordes Vineyard on Atlas Peak.
The 2024 Vintage Makes Its Debut
Premiere Napa Valley 2026 offered the trade its first taste of the 2024 vintage. Early impressions point to a growing season defined by balance and precision. That character is consistent with the conditions Melissa Paris and Andy Erickson observed in the vineyard.
The 2024 growing season benefited from steady warmth through the summer months. Cool nights from the marine layer drifting inland from San Pablo Bay preserved natural acidity and encouraged slow, even ripening. The result is a vintage that rewards patience. Structured, focused, and genuinely cellar-worthy, the 2024 wines are built for collectors who think in decades, not seasons.
To stay close to wines like these as they develop, ERA Elite membership offers priority access to futures pricing, single vineyard allocations, and library releases. It is the most direct path to acquiring Alpha Omega wines at the earliest possible stage.
What Premiere Recognition Means for Collectors
Premiere Napa Valley is not a consumer event. It is the trade’s annual referendum on which wines are worth carrying, pouring, and cellaring. When buyers from 12 countries compete for a lot, they are making a statement about the wine’s quality and its potential. For Alpha Omega to rank among the day’s top lots is a signal that resonates well beyond the auction floor.
Furthermore, this recognition builds on a consistent record of critical acclaim and collector demand. Our AVA Series Cabernets have earned devoted followings among collectors who value terroir specificity alongside critical scores. Each sub-appellation, whether the structured power of Mount Veeder or the mineral elegance of Spring Mountain District, brings its own irreplaceable character to the portfolio.
As Josh Phelps observed after the event, “The wine business is going to be around for a long time.” We share that conviction. Napa Valley’s strength is rooted in its land, its people, and the extraordinary vintages that continue to emerge from both.
Rooted in Napa Valley, Committed to Its Future
Recognition at Premiere Napa Valley is gratifying. At the same time, it reflects a responsibility that Robin and Michelle Baggett have embraced since founding Alpha Omega in 2006. Their founding story is inseparable from a belief that great wine and a generous community spirit belong together.
That commitment extends to the land itself. Alpha Omega operates as a Napa Green certified winery, running almost entirely on solar power and farming with deep respect for the soils and ecosystems that make these wines possible. The wines that earned recognition at Premiere are grown and made with that same long-term stewardship in mind.
Napa Valley’s trade community came together in 2026 and raised $3 million in a single afternoon. That is a collective act of belief in this valley, its vineyards, and the winemakers who tend them. We are proud to be part of it.
Experience Alpha Omega for Yourself
Our estate sits at 1155 Mee Lane in Rutherford, just off Highway 29 between Rutherford and St. Helena. Landmark fountains, a tranquil pond, and sweeping views of the Mayacamas Mountains set the scene for a tasting unlike any other in Napa Valley. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Families are welcome. Walk-ins are accommodated when availability allows.
Come and taste the wines that the world’s top buyers are pursuing. Reserve a tasting at Alpha Omega and explore the terroir behind every bottle.
Acquire. Explore our current releases and add a piece of this celebrated vintage to your cellar.
Reserve a Tasting. Plan your visit to our Rutherford estate and taste the wines that are earning recognition on the world stage.
Join the Wine Club. Become part of the Alpha Omega family and enjoy curated shipments, exclusive member events, and preferred access to our most sought-after bottle
