Richard Steltzner established his first Stags Leap District vineyards in 1965 while concurrently engaging in vineyard management. Steltzner Vineyards' first commercial release was in 1977, and the Steltzner Family established their own modest facility in 1983, with a 3,000 case capacity here in the Stags Leap District.

In 1989, Dick and Christine Steltzner began the expansion of their winery with a 710 foot underground storage tunnel, which has allowed increased volume as well as enhancing the quality and characteristics of wine storage. In 1992, the expansion was completed with a Mediterranean style structure providing a new laboratory, special event room, offices, and reception area for winery visitors. It is topped with a 3-story observation clock tower providing a bird's eye view of the Steltzner Vineyards and surrounding Stags Leap area.