Bob Levy is the winemaker for Harlan Estate, and his wife is the winemaker for the Sloan Estate. Both of them have made wines that have scored perfect 100 point ratings. They bought a 6 acre lot in the Diamond Mountain area, and the case production for their 1st and 2nd vintages is 400 cases or less. Robert Parker gave their 1st vintage, the 2004 vintage a rating of 96-98 points, and their 2005 vintage a rating of 95-97 points. What a great way to start off. Their wines look to have excellent cellaring life. Their maximum estimated case production, given their current vineyard of 6 acres is around 500-600 cases at best. This is less then half the production of Harlan and about the same as Screaming Eagle. On average, Levy & McClellans case production will be less then that of Screaming Eagle. As of right now, there is no waiting list to get into Levy & McClellan. But, I will say this right now, given the great history of these 2 great winemakers, it will not take long for their list to fill up and a very long waiting list to form. The Wine Levy & McClellan produces the following wine varietals: Bordeaux Blend and Cabernet Franc.

Dino's Italian heritage all but ensured a wine and farming way of life, through it wasn't his only calling, at least initially. Prior to officially getting into the "grape game" in 1997, Dino studied at the University of Genoa where he uncorked a passion for the scientific aspects of medicine, which led him first to Switzerland and then the U.S. for his work with virus and infectious disease. With some "serendipity and luck" (Dino's words) his move to the West Coast coincided with the region's biotechnology boom. Turns out the yeast used in biotechnology is the same type used in wine fermentation. A wine country way of life planted its seeds.

Medicine not only shaped a lifelong career but also fostered a flourishing relationship between Dino and his wife, Corry Dekker. Corry Dekker, who leads vaccine clinical research at Stanford University, specializes in vaccine safety and frequently serves as an advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At Stanford, she oversees vaccine trials and regularly conducts adult lecture series and discussions within her field.

The couple first connected over their shared interest in biotechnologies while working at Chiron, each making significant strides in their respective areas. With a background in pediatrics, Corry has earned the title of "The Queen of Flu Vaccines," as Dino affectionately describes her. She has collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to national emergencies and has worked across a range of disease areas, including smallpox, malaria, and the recent H1N1 outbreak. Her team is dedicated to keeping the public informed about disease prevention.

The tasting room is only by appointment, and the location is quite far off the beaten path, but the wine is worth the trip. The tasting area is a bar in a foyer run by the owner of the vineyard. It's not fancy, but if you like Howell Mountain wines, this is a great place to taste.

You will love Ackerman Family Vineyards if you have a passion for wines that reflect more of a Bordeaux style – smooth, well-structured wines that beautifully complement the food.  These are wines where the micro-climates of the region play a more predominant role in the end result.  Ackerman Family wines reveal deep berry flavors resulting from the perfect balance between soils and fruit. Are you looking to add a unique variation to your Cabernet Sauvignon choices?  This is the place!~