History
The Farella family established the vineyard on the eastern side of the Coombsville bowl and farmed it as a grower property. Realm Cellars began buying fruit from it in 2003 and took over its management in 2018. Frank Farella died in April 2025 at ninety-five, and on 17 July 2026 Realm closed the purchase of the winery and sixty acres of land. Tom Farella leases the winery back and continues the Farella label, so the name carries on over ground Realm now owns.
The Site
Draped across the Vaca foothills at 300 to 500 feet. The geology is disordered rather than layered: volcanic tufa, red decomposed rock, ash from old landslides and gravelly sand, the debris of a collapsed volcanic system. Sitting in Napa's southernmost volcanic bowl, the vineyard draws freezing morning fog off San Pablo Bay, which paces sugar development and lengthens the season.
Vines and Blocks
Cabernet Sauvignon in Clones 4 and 8 with Merlot. The Rockpile block at the highest point of the estate is the one singled out: choked with volcanic boulders and gravel, fully exposed, and small-berried enough to be bottled on its own.
The Wines
Realm's Farella bottlings are the savoury, structured end of the house style, and Tom Farella's own label continues from the same ground.