Lisbon Winery, Napa

The Lisbon Winery is a historic two-story stone structure in the City of Napa, a rare survivor from the county’s late 19th-century viticultural boom. Built under the direction of Joseph A. Mathews (Mateus), a Lisbon-born entrepreneur, the winery stands as a testament to Napa’s rich wine heritage. Mathews was particularly instrumental in the exportation of fine Napa wines to Europe, with his sherry earning notable acclaim.

Constructed from native stone quarried in the hills east of Napa, the rectangular building measures 90 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 25 feet high, with solid two-foot-thick walls. It was originally built adjoining an earlier sherry cellar. The Lisbon Winery is a prime example of the industrial warehouse-style winery architecture, one of two dominant styles in late 19th-century Napa County. The other prevalent design, the three-level gravity-flow hillside winery, is more commonly found in rural settings, with notable examples including Trefethen, Far Niente, Inglenook, and Christian Brothers.

During its early years, the Lisbon Winery thrived, reflecting the contributions of Portuguese, Swiss, French, German, and Italian immigrants to Napa’s wine industry. However, Prohibition forced its closure, halting production for decades. In 1946, John Carbone purchased the site and resumed winemaking until 1976, when the facility transitioned into a storage space.

Since 1995, the former winery has housed the Jarvis Conservatory, a cultural venue that hosts workshops and performances, including Zarzuela, Baroque ballet, and puppetry. The site still retains its open plaza, preserving an element of its original setting amidst a transitioning neighborhood.

Dedicated as a historic landmark on April 9, 1978, by the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Lisbon Winery remains the last native-stone winery in Napa-a tangible link to the city’s winemaking past.