An early modern era Napa Valley presence and pioneering exponent of French oak,[2] the estate enjoys a historical renown with the success of its Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon,[3] and has also been described as a "master of Grignolino".

[5] After the war ended, Heitz began taking classes at UC Davis, achieving bachelor and master's degrees in viticulture and enology as the first seven graduates in this major in 1951.

[6][7] Heitz found employment under the wine industry extremes, first at Gallo, and then under André Tchelistcheff at Beaulieu Vineyard as an assistant winemaker where he worked for near ten years.

[6] In 1961, Heitz and his wife Alice bought a small 8.5-acre (3.4 ha) vineyard just south of St. Helena from Leon Brendel named "The One & Only" for $5,000, planted with grignolino, and went into business for himself where his winemaking production preceded Robert Mondavi's emergence in Oakville.

[5][3][8][9] In 1963 Heitz bought at an auction several barrels of Chardonnay and Pinot noir wine from Hanzell Vineyards in Sonoma, the last vintages of the deceased owner James D. Zellerbach's pursuit of Burgundian excellence sold off by his widow.

[5] Since 1976, a similar exclusivity agreement has existed with Barney and Belle Rhodes, owners of the 18-acre (7.3 ha) Bella Oaks Vineyard in the Rutherford AVA.

Heitz works with a number of grape varieties grown in several American Viticultural Areas including Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and the greater Napa Valley.