Far Niente's Chardonnay is made from a blend of grapes from the finest vineyards in Napa Valley, and has been brewed without MLF fermentation since its release in 1979. Far Niente's Chardonnay is made from a blend of grapes from the finest vineyards in Napa Valley, and has been brewed without MLF fermentation since its release in 1979. Far Niente was founded in 1885 by John Benson. He was one of the "Forty Niner" generation who arrived in California during the 1849 Gold Rush, and was the uncle of painter Winslow Homer. Benson hired architect Hamden McIntyre, who also designed Christian Brothers Winery (now CIA) and Gustav Niebaum Winery (now Inglenook), to design the winery. The winery continued to thrive until 1919, when Prohibition forced it to close and it was left almost untouched for the next 60 years. In 1979, Gil Nickel purchased the winery and adjacent vineyards and began a three-year restoration. The winery building was beautifully restored and was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The name "Far Niente" comes from the stone inscribed "FarNiente" that was carved into the front of the winery building from the beginning of its construction. This means "comfort of doing nothing" in Italian. In 1982, fermentation of the harvested Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon began, and winemaking at Far Niente resumed for the first time in about 69 years. From 1979 to 1982, the winery was under renovation, so the harvested Chardonnay was vinified and sold elsewhere. Far Niente is still a winery that specializes exclusively in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Built on the western slope of Oakville, Far Niente is a gravity-fed winery where grapes are treated with care and gentleness at every stage of the winemaking process. With industry-leading winemaking techniques, a particular house style, grape cultivation on our own vineyards, and a commitment to social responsibility, Far Niente continues to be loved around the world. Far Niente's past and present were reunited in 1998, when an 1886 vintage Far Niente Sweet Muscat was discovered in the cellar of a private home in Marin County. The bottle, with its original label, cork, cap and seal still intact, is said to be the oldest intact California wine in existence. The sepia-toned label, depicting grape clusters spilling out of a hammock, was designed by Benson's nephew, painter Winslow Homer. Far Niente's current label was designed in 1979 by artist Tom Rodriguez. He also designs the labels for sister wineries Dolce, Nickel & Nickel, On Route, and Bella Union. Far Niente has a cave (approximately 3,700 square meters) excavated into the hillside on which the winery is built. This was a project that John Benson dreamed of when the winery was first established, and Gil Nickel took over the dream and completed the construction over 20 years. Currently, the cave holds 2,500 French oak barrels waiting for release. It also stores precious old vintages that are released after being aged carefully as the "Cave Collection." Far Niente's Chardonnay is made from a blend of grapes from the finest vineyards in Napa Valley, and has been brewed without MLF fermentation since its release in 1979. Far Niente's Chardonnay is made from a blend of grapes from the finest vineyards in Napa Valley, and has been brewed without MLF fermentation since its release in 1979. Far Niente's Chardonnay is made from a blend of grapes from some of Napa Valley's finest vineyards, and has been vinified without MLF fermentation since its release in 1979.