Aileron Estates

Shannon O’Shaughnessy, proprietor, is a Minnesota native whose family moved to the Napa Valley in 1990 to become grape growers and vintners. In 1997, Shannon helped her family launch O’Shaughnessy Estate on Howell Mountain, where she was integral in developing the estate and winery and launching the brand. O’Shaughnessy has since gone on to become one of the world-class wineries in Napa Valley. In addition to raising two sons, Shannon has also worked for other wineries and distributors—all in preparation to establish her own estate winery one day.
A self-proclaimed “adventure” junkie, Shannon flies her own plane, is an avid skier and fly-fisherwoman and TK, TK. Now, after 25 years living and working in the Napa Valley, Shannon latest adventure is Aileron Estates.

In 2014, Shannon purchased Aileron’s estate Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard in Coombsville, which is located in front of her home. Five years later, in 2019, she purchased the highly regarded Altimeter Vineyard on Atlas Peak, which is planted 100% to Cabernet Sauvignon. These two combined estates will be the heartbeat of Aileron.

With Aileron Estates, Shannon is dedicated to making the highest-quality wines with a sense of place and vintage. To do that, she’s hired two of the top minds in wine: Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, partners at Atelier Melka. Atelier Melka is internationally recognized as of as one of the top winemaking consultancies in the world, and has crafted top wines for Lail Vineyards, Dana Estates, Tusk Estates, as well as many others.

"In order to navigate the flight path of life, we all need an Aileron.

It's the little wing that helps steer us into the direction we want to go, to further explore and seek true happiness.

Here's to you and your Aileron."

~ Shannon O’Shaughnessy