BV Was There: From Prohibition to a New Golden Age

1920s & '30s, A Blessing in Disguise

The Volstead Act of 1920, aka Prohibition, devastated California’s wine industry. The number of bonded wineries in the state fell from 700 to only 140, and many that did manage to stay open hung on by a thread. But thanks to their remarkable business savvy, determination, and networking prowess, Georges and Fernande de Latour, ensured their winery not only survived, but thrived. Their skill at navigating the crisis also meant that as soon as Prohibition was repealed, they were ready to offer customers perfectly aged BV wines and able to lure “the Maestro,” André Tchelistcheff, to Napa Valley, propelling BV to incredible new heights.

1920s

Sensing which way the cultural and political winds are blowing, Georges and Fernande obtain a warrant to produce sacramental wine well before Prohibition becomes the law of the land. BV is the first nationwide wine distributor to the Catholic church. Their foresight and business acumen keeps BV thriving throughout the 13-year federal alcohol ban. They even grew production fourfold, adding equipment throughout the facility and purchasing their neighbor’s 1885-vintage stone winery in 1923.

1931

Fernande travels to Washington, D.C., with a group of California women, to attend the national convention of the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform. Their goal is repealing the law that has been so detrimental to the wine country’s culture and economy.

The Maestro, André Tchelistcheff

Born in Russia, André studied viticulture and enology in France. When Georges de Latour visited France searching for a winemaker to take BV to the next level, he immediately felt a kinship with his new acquaintance. Despite receiving offers from wineries around the world, André decided to join BV. He brought with him European methods of cultivation and rigorous small-lot fermentation practices like cool fermenting white wines and malolactic fermentation for reds. But that was just the beginning.

1938

André Tchelistcheff arrives at BV. The most profoundly influential winemaker in Napa Valley history, his philosophy of continuous innovation in the vineyards and winery still defines our wines today. André served as Chief Winemaker at BV until 1972, returning to the wine program in 1990 at the age of 89 to share his experience and innovative spirit with a new generation of winemakers.

2025 is the 125th anniversary of that historic moment. In preparation for our year-long celebration, we’ve been combing our archives and reconnecting with family, friends, and team members far and wide to rediscover the people and happenings that made it all possible.