When William and Jane Ballentine bought a nineteenth century ghost winery in St. Helena in 1999, little did they know it would take them three years to acquire a permit to open its doors which had been shuttered since Prohibition. The reason: county laws prohibited restoration of abandoned wineries with less than ten acres and the young couple only owned five. After several years working with the county, the Ballentines received a special historic winery ordinance that allowed them to reopen the 1873 winery.

Matthiasson Family Vineyards sources grapes from several outstanding grape growers to produce their red and white blends. Steve Matthiasson and Jill Klein take a very proactive approach to tending their grapes and vinifying their wine. In Matthiasson and Klein’s words, “our hands touch every vine and every bottle.” In addition to making his own wine, Matthiasson is also a highly respected vineyard manager in the Napa and Sonoma. He oversees all of the decisions in over 30 different vineyards, and purchases choice fruit for his own wines from several of these properties.

Punk Dog Wines represents an adventurous approach to winemaking. The goal is to craft wines with immense character, bold flavors, and unconventional blends. Fully embodying a Californian spirit, Punk Dog Wines refuses to be constrained by traditional blends or preconceived notions.

The name "Punk Dog" is inspired by Sophie, a small dog with a larger-than-life personality. Mischievous and strong-willed, Sophie is known for her playful antics, like running around with a stolen sock and rewarding her pursuers with enthusiastic kisses.

When establishing the winery, the founders questioned the necessity of using grapes from the same region or adhering to conventional blending practices. They explored the effects of combining varietals that might not traditionally be paired and blending grapes harvested at varying ripeness levels.

The philosophy behind Punk Dog Wines was influenced by a cellar master’s advice during the founder’s first vintage. After enduring long days of labor, the cellar master remarked in his Bulgarian accent, “Eric, smile! You’re making wine!” This perspective of taking winemaking seriously while maintaining a sense of fun has become central to their approach.

Sophie, with her bold and adventurous nature, is the perfect mascot for the winery. Reflecting the same spirited attitude and sense of adventure, the team’s goal is to create outstanding wines while enjoying the process. With the work done and the “cows home,” the invitation is simple: relax, enjoy the wine, and share in the fun.

Dyer Vineyard is a small estate vineyard and winery in the Diamond Mountain District of the Napa Valley. The estate produces a limited bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is owned and operated by wine industry veterans, Bill and Dawnine Dyer.