Joyce Black Sears and Jerre Sears purchased this view property on Howell Mountain in 1980 where they currently make their home. Joyce is a native of Napa Valley with a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. She both taught and practiced psychotherapy in the Bay Area for many years. Jerre comes from a business background of investing and venture capital and also has a PhD in psychology. Although both come from backgrounds other than agriculture they are not new to the business of fine wine production. They have many years experience as owners and managers of their vineyard property and were partners with Mike Beatty in Howell Mountain Vineyards.

In 1997 Joyce and Jerre approached Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines regarding the possibility of producing a small quantity of estate bottled Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from their property. Due to their longstanding friendship and business ties, a deal was quickly struck. Ted Lemon has acted as their winemaker since that time and has lead the implementation of biodynamic farming throughout the estate.

For many years, the Black Sears family has sold its production to some of the best wineries in California. The prestigious roster includes Elyse, Cornerstone, Turley, Howell Mountain Vineyards and D Cubed. The Black Sears family intends to produce small quantities Black Sears Estate Wine from the finest fruit they can produce, a few hundred cases per vintage.