These tasty little wines were introduced nationally in 2008 from California’s Central Coast and represented a finely crafted, fruit-forward, indulgent and eminently approachable style of wine. The inaugural release included Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, Adam has used his experience and relationships around the world to add seven international wines to the lineup. http://underdogwinemerchants.com/
In 1983, Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle began planting vines on the hillside east of Oakville, overlooking Napa Valley. Their vineyards produce excellent quality grapes, resulting wines of great intensity, complexity and balance. Gustav passed away in 1995 and Naoko Dalla Valle continues the legacy of Dalla Valle wines. Dalla Valle Vineyards produces two wines; Maya- Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dalla Valle Vineyards wines are on a waiting list.
The Bucklin's were all born and raised in San Francisco, but spent virtually every weekend and summer on their Grandmother's ranch in Sonoma. In 1976, their mother Anne, a professional landscape gardener, moved to Sonoma when she married Otto Teller. Otto and Anne lived together on Oak Hill Farm where they raised organic flowers and vegetables. In 1981, the Tellers purchased the venerable Old Hill Ranch Vineyard which is adjacent to the farm. Meanwhile, the four Bucklin siblings set off on separate paths across the country pursuing various careers, spouses, and hobgoblins, only to return to the family farm in Sonoma.
“When I was a little kid, both my mother and father came from musical families. My father was a great flautist, composer, and conductor and my mother’s father was a wonderful Neapolitan songwriter. Her brother was a fine trumpet player in the same orchestra my father played in. He brought his friend home to dinner one occasion, and that’s how my father met my mother.”
-Francis Ford Coppola
Located in Sonoma County, California, one of the world's premier wine producing areas, McIlroy Wines is a small, family based winery that creates outstanding wines. Only a small number of cases are produced each year.
Barbieri Wine Company (BWC) has been delighting wine lovers since its founding in 2005 by Master Sommelier and Winemaker Paolo Barbieri. Before BWC came to be, Paolo began his winemaking journey crafting small lots in his garage in Las Vegas, fueled by a passion for producing exceptional wines. His goal was clear: to create Rhone varietals from the top vineyards in Santa Barbara County, using a minimalist approach that emphasizes the quality of the grapes without heavy oak influence.
With over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Paolo's expertise has been shaped by managing world-class wine lists in both Europe and the United States. This background not only honed his palate but also inspired his philosophy toward winemaking. Joining him on this adventure was Erin Kempe, and together they cultivated their passion for crafting hand-made boutique wines that truly reflect their love for the art of winemaking.
Meet Paolo Barbieri
Born in Parma, Italy, Paolo Barbieri developed a passion for wine at a young age, with a bottle of wine always gracing his family’s dinner table. His curiosity about the winemaking process led him to study farming management in Rome, where he deepened his love for nature. Paolo's career took him to England, where he started working in restaurants, further igniting his passion for food and wine.
After relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, he helped develop wine programs for several esteemed restaurants. In 1998, Paolo moved to Las Vegas, where he played a pivotal role in opening high-profile establishments like the Bellagio, Wynn, and Cosmopolitan Hotel. His dedication and extensive knowledge earned him the prestigious title of Master Sommelier, a testament to his hard work and passion.
During his time in the industry, Paolo discovered the remarkable quality of Santa Barbara County's vineyards. Inspired by their potential, he partnered with long-time friend and winemaker Joey Tensley to launch Barbieri Wine Company, producing just 375 cases from Colson Canyon Vineyard in its inaugural year. Over time, Paolo expanded his portfolio to include some of the region's finest vineyards, creating both single vineyard and blended wines that showcase the unique terroir of Santa Barbara.
For those who love exploring California's wineries and learning about its exceptional wines, Barbieri Wine Company offers a delightful journey into the heart of winemaking. Each bottle tells a story of passion, dedication, and the beauty of the vineyards that produce these remarkable Rhone varietals.
Today at Malibu Family Wines the vineyards consist of approximately 60,000 vines on 65 acres, with expansion plans to reach 100,000 vines. With the high altitude and separation from the coast, along with an ideal blend of weather conditions and rich, rocky soil, it's the perfect environment for growing premium wine grapes.
Grayson Cellars is a family owned winery producing moderately priced California wines including Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Corison Winery, in its timeless Victorian-style barn, is situated in the heart of Cathy's beloved Kronos Vineyard. With eight acres planted exclusively to St. Georges rootstock, Kronos is a historic treasure. As one of the last old Cabernet Vineyards in the Napa Valley, it is one of the few vineyards to have produced world class fruit continuously for more than four decades. Farmed organically and growing on gravelly loam soils, the gnarly old veterans produce scant yields that result in wines of rare concentration and refinement. They are juicy with blackberry and plum fruit and complex with a mineral note and exquisite violet perfume.
Les Behrens (aka the Jersey Boy) was born in Perth Amboy, NJ and moved to California with his family as a young boy. Lisa Drinkward was born and raised in southern California but realized that she was a northern California girl when she spent her college years in Humboldt County. Arcata, CA was where Les and Lisa met and were married in 1987. Their mutual love of food and wine led them to create Folie Douce Restaurant in 1991. Lisa explored her creative food side as chef, and Les was able to develop his passion and palate for wine as sommelier and wine buyer. A mutual enthusiasm for wine developed, resulting in the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for their eclectic wine list. This passion and the encouragement from friend and mentor Ed Oliviera prompted Les and Lisa to purchase their first 3 and a half tons of grapes in 1993. Bob and Lily Hitchcock came on board during that first harvest to manage the business and financial machinations of the winery, and Behrens & Hitchcock Winery was officially formed. Les, without any formal training, has been the sole winemaker at Behrens & Hitchcock since its inception, making wine in a style that flows from his great instinct and confident palate. Although Lisa is involved with all aspects of winemaking, during harvest her real focus is on vineyard management and grower relations. After four years of running both the restaurant and winery, Lisa and Les sold Folie Douce in 1997 and moved to Napa Valley to make wine full-time.
In 2005, with the announcement of Bob & Lily’s retirement, Lisa and Les bought out the Hitchcocks' share of their Spring Mountain winery, leading to the formation of Behrens Family Winery. The name Erna Schein on the label is a dedication to Les’ mother, a woman who was near and dear to all who knew her. Her home was a place of hospitality and friendship, a feeling that we try to replicate here at the winery. She was also a fantastic baker, taking after her mother who was a Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef. It is Erna’s original vintage Kitchen Aid pictured on our label. It reminds us that food and wine is our favorite way to create and maintain friendships.
