History

Vintner Barry Waitte founded Tamber Bey Vineyards in 1999, when he purchased a 60-acre vineyard in the Yountville Appellation and an 11-acre property in the renowned Oakville Appellation. This marked his entry into the wine business as a grower. Waitte planted three acres of premium Cabernet Sauvignon on the Oakville property, and this vineyard came to be called the Oakville Estate Vineyard.

In 2000, Waitte hired winemaker Thomas Brown as the founding winemaker for Tamber Bey wines. In 2003, Tamber Bey celebrated the inaugural release of the 2001 Two Rivers Vineyard Chardonnay, Merlot and a Cabernet-based Red Wine.

Waitte originally named the Yountville vineyard the Two Rivers Vineyard as a tribute to the “two personalities of the Napa River,” which borders the vineyard. The early vintages of Tamber Bey wine have this vineyard designation. Waitte later changed the name to the Deux Chevaux Vineyard to pay homage to Tamber Bey’s namesake, his first two Arabian horses, Tamborina and Bayamo. “Deux Chevaux” is French for “two horses.”

In 2012, Waitte purchased the 22-acre Sundance Ranch in Calistoga, and converted a covered riding arena into a 60,000-gallon winemaking facility.  Although winemaking is the primary business at Tamber Bey, the Ranch is also home to more than 20 horses, including performance Arabians, retirees, rescue horses and miniatures. Guests experience horses in wine country when they visit Tamber Bey. The tasting room is located in the original barn clubhouse, which was designed by renowned Napa Valley Architect Howard Backen. The 16-stall barn surrounds the courtyard, where guests can taste wine and mingle with the horses. Spectacular view of Mount St. Helena and the Palisades frame the setting.