Nichelini Winery
Also known as: Nichelini Vineyards
Why it's listed
Built in 1890 by Swiss-born Anton Nichelini, this three-story winery and residence is cut into a steep hillside east of Sage Canyon Road near St. Helena. The ground level is native cut stone and served as the wine cellar, with a segmental-arched central door and corner quoins. The upper two floors, finished by 1896, are frame with board-and-batten and horizontal siding and housed the Nichelini family. A frame barn/winery building stands to the north. Nichelini homesteaded the land in 1884, planted vineyards, developed small mines, and sold wine to workers in nearby quicksilver mines. The winery closed during Prohibition and was reopened after Repeal by his son William, and it has stayed small and family-run. Nineteenth-century equipment, including a primitive lever press, remains in place. It was listed as an example of the owner-built family winery typical of late 19th-century Napa County and of the European immigrant influence on the local wine industry and stonework.
Significance in brief: The winery is presented as a typical small, owner-built, family-run winery of late 19th-century Napa County that is still operating in a setting little changed since 1890. Original 19th-century equipment, including a primitive lever press, remains on site. Its stone winery with residence above reflects the European heritage of Swiss-born builder Anton Nichelini and of the immigrants who shaped the local wine industry.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000508, listed August 24, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of St. Helena at 2950 Sage Canyon Rd, St. Helena |
|---|---|
| County | Napa County |
| Listed | August 24, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000508 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Anton Nichelini |
| Architectural style | Vernacular, with Greek Revival suggestions in the cornice returns |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and still in operation as a small, family-run winery; the design is described as unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 38.49897, -122.29353 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000508.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18753759
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.