The Oakville Station is made up of two unique vineyards, the South Station and the Old Federal Vineyards. Nowhere in the world are there research vineyards in a wine region of such prominence.
The Old Federal Vineyard is the most significant vineyard in the state if not the world. It has contributed more to our understanding of viticulture than any other. Research at the Station began with Hiram Crabb and the California Viticulture Commissioners in the 1880s, continued with the USDA until the end of prohibition and now is one of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.
The South Station Vineyard was a donation from Napa Valley growers seeking to provide the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology with a research site in the Napa Valley. In particular, it was John Daniel, Jr., heir to Inglenook, who was instrumental in the 1947 purchase of the Dwyer Road Vineyard for the University.