Prime Solum (A soil science term referring to the best soil) is the family owned and operated brand William “Bill” Hill started producing in 2009 from rocky, hillside vineyards on Atlas Peak and from his home vineyard on the shoulder of Atlas Bench.

While crafting the Prime Solum wines Bill focuses on great vineyards.  He works closely with Patrick Mahaney, an incredibly talented and knowledgeable winemaker with a background including a 24 year career at Robert Mondavi Winery, where Patrick was Vice President of Global Wine Quality. In that role, Patrick had wide purview over all of Mondavi’s winemaking operations, and focused on many of their international joint ventures, including Luce and Opus One.  Bill Hill and Patrick Mahaney make a powerhouse winegrowing/winemaking team that is deeply rooted in the belief of great wine coming from great vineyards and mutual respect for one-another’s strengths.

Bill has a long time appreciation of farming and a connection to the land that has inspired his commitment to growing fine wine. He has been recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the “Top 50 wine producers in the world who innovated, perfected and led the international campaign for higher quality wine”. In his career, Bill has developed over 40 American “Grand Cru” quality vineyards, stretching from Santa Barbara to Washington State, perhaps the most of any vineyard architect and designer in the U.S.

Bill Hill’s latest endeavor is his Tasting Barn at 1021 Atlas Peak Road in Napa which he opened in May of 2018 after years of preparation and renovation of a 1940’s Butler Building.  In this new tasting space guests can enjoy flights of wine highlighting his Prime Solum wines from Napa as well as Coastal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from his Expression label.  Wines by the glass and food options (with prior notice) are also available.

Images provided by Prime Solum. All rights reserved.