CADE Estate is a relatively new estate. The winery was founded in 2005 when three partners, Gordon Getty, John Conover and Gavin Newsom - former Mayor of San Francisco and current Governor of California - purchased vineyards located on high up on Howell Mountain, just a bit northeast of St. Helena. The name CADE makes sense when you know its origin, which is Shakespearean in nature. William Shakespeare used the archaic term for wine barrels, which were being transported from Bordeaux to England. This is a theme for the owners, who count Plumpjack, another Napa vineyard as part of their holdings. Plumpjack also takes its name from the writings of William Shakespeare.

Howell Mountain experiences a unique temperature inversion. During the day, conditions are much cooler than those on the valley floor; evenings, on the other hand, grow warmer with the setting sun. This microclimate gives out grapes extended hang time, allowing them to ripen fully and evenly for wines of exceptional density and balance.