Merlot

Merlot

Lange Twins Winery & Vineyard

Picture or the Lange Twins

For five generations our family has been growing sustainable winegrapes in the Lodi Appellation and in 2006 we opened a winery to showcase our passion for growing winegrapes – because great wine starts in the vineyard. Building on our successes as a vineyard management company, the winery was our first step into crafting wines made solely from our estate vineyards. Since opening in 2006, we have continued to expand our state-of-the-art winery to keep up with the demand for our LangeTwins wines as well as private labels and custom winemaking services. Unfortunately, our winery is closed for public tastings. If you are visiting the Lodi Appellation, please visit the Lodi Wine & Visitors Center to try our wines as well as other great Lodi selections.

Rutherford Hill Winery

glasses of white wine on the patio - Pixabay

High on a hill, Rutherford Hill Winery commands a spectacular view of the Rutherford bench in Napa Valley. Drawing from a select handful of Napa's finest vineyards, Rutherford Hill continues its tradition of crafting legendary wines. In 1972, as the world was just beginning to recognize the potential of Napa Valley, Rutherford Hill's founders identified a unique opportunity. They saw that the valley's climate and soil, akin to those of Pomerol, were ideally suited to Merlot and became pioneers of what would become one of Napa's premier varietals.

In 1996, the Terlato family acquired the winery, bringing with them a legendary commitment to quality over quantity. Their pursuit of excellence started with a thorough review of the property, leading to significant enhancements that enriched the portfolio with wines of remarkable complexity and character.

Bill and John Terlato continue their father Anthony Terlato’s legacy by working closely with Rutherford Hill’s winemaker to tackle the challenges of consistently improving the wine, year after year. The exacting standards applied by the Terlato family to all their ventures were evident at Rutherford Hill from the moment of acquisition.

Building on Tradition To prioritize quality, Rutherford Hill created an environment where reserve wines could receive the time, care, and attention they deserved within the winery’s portfolio.

A new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the production of reserve wines—a "winery within a winery"—began construction in the spring of 2000 and was operational by that year’s harvest. This $7 million, 5,100-square-foot addition features 24 fermentation tanks ranging from 1,500 to 6,000 gallons. It is fully self-contained, equipped with its own press, refrigeration capabilities (with tanks jacketed for both warming and cooling glycol), and a dedicated harvest crew.

Creating the Ideal Wine-Storage Environment Rutherford Hill pioneered the use of caves and a pallet-stacking system within those caves in Napa Valley. Year-round, 8,000 wine-filled French and American oak barrels age in an optimal storage environment of 59ºF and 90 percent humidity. This setup significantly reduces wine evaporation, leading to wines with lower alcohol concentrations. The improvements made to the caves since 1999 exemplify the Terlato family's broad vision and steadfast commitment to quality.

Kapcsandy Family Winery

wine corks and a glass - Pixabay

A Labor of Love Across Two Generations

The Kapcsándy story is a unique blend of old-world values and American ingenuity, merging classic European grand cru-style with cutting-edge technology. At its heart, it is the tale of a family deeply passionate about wine.

Lou Kapcsándy emigrated from Hungary to the U.S. in 1956, embarking on a successful career in chemical engineering and manufacturing, first in the San Francisco Bay Area and later in Seattle. Through connections in the wine industry, he began sourcing exceptional European wines for his collection, while also mentoring a group of emerging entrepreneurs who would become early pioneers in Washington State’s wine scene.

In 1998, a visit by Lou and his wife, Bobbie, to the historic Bordeaux estate of Leoville-Las Cases sparked a new ambition: to establish a wine business in partnership with their son, Louis, Jr., and to retire in California’s Napa Valley. The family started exploring available properties and, within three months, found a unique 20-acre parcel in Yountville, which was once part of Beringer Estates’ Private Reserve Cabernet program. In May 2000, they closed escrow on the property and initiated a meticulous plan to replant the vineyard, which included two years of soil nutrient restoration.

By 2002, the Kapcsándys had completely replanted their vineyard with 15 distinct blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Construction of a state-of-the-art winery was completed in September 2005. The family then began to bring their vision to life: to produce wines of “First Growth” quality that could compete with the finest in the world. Since 2004, the family has lived and worked on-site, overseeing every facet of vineyard management and winemaking.

Visitors are invited to experience Kapcsándy Family Winery, a multi-generational labor of love that infuses the finesse and elegance of European grand cru wines into the Napa Valley.

Sorry people, this place is private. As it should be. The Kapcsandy's have effortlessly created some of the greatest wine my lips and palate have ever tasted. After taking a tour of the spotless grounds which used to be Beringer Estates, we adjourned ourselves to the tasting room where I, along with close friends and cohorts divided our time among the vast amount of premier wines the Kapcsandy Family Winery has to offer. The Kapcsandy Family Winery is well on its way to make its permanent mark on the wine world. Using the best resources, well thought out methods, and grade "A" ingredients make these wines a challenger to all who dare to face them. They are truly a winery who reside at the top of their game. 

Mayo Family Winery

wine and cheese - Pixabay

Mayo Family Winery produces small lots of single-vineyard wines under the premise that the world's most interesting and highest quality wines must come from a single-vineyard source that can be expressed in the wines' aroma, taste and texture. Founded in 1993, the winery has two winemaking facilities in Glen Ellen, California, each fitted and equipped to produce particular types of wines. Mayo Family wines are only sold online or in their tasting room attached to the winery in the town of Glen Ellen and their two other tasting rooms in Sonoma Valley.

Terra Savia

Glass of wine being poured - Pixabay

A fun winery to visit during Hopland's Passport event (once in spring and once in fall each year) when it opens up and gives space to local craftspeople. They also make olive oil and process it for others. Fourth generation Mendocino wine family - these people know what they are doing.

R&B Cellars

wine glass and wine corks - Pixabay

At R&B Cellars, wine-making is viewed as an art form with the power and influence of music. It’s meant to inspire, brim with passion, and unite people in celebrating life, happiness, and community.

Situated in the East Bay of San Francisco, owners Kevin and Barbara invite visitors to Riggers Loft, their scenic winery, tasting room, and wine bar in the Port of Richmond, Point Richmond. Here, guests can enjoy a blend of delicious wines and vibrant music in one of the most welcoming communities in the area.

As lifelong musicians, Kevin and Barbara recognize that, much like music, wine is crafted to be shared—whether with old friends, new acquaintances, or the world at large. To suit a variety of tastes and personalities, they offer several varietals at different price points. Riggers Loft is their dream: a place where music and wine harmonize beautifully. The experience is made even more memorable with a sweeping 270-degree view of the San Francisco Bay.

Woodbridge By Robert Mondavi

wine and cheese - Pixabay

In the early 1900s, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, newlyweds from Italy's Sassoferrato region, planted their roots in Minnesota. When the Prohibition Act of 1919 banned alcohol sales, Italian families were puzzled—wine was a daily essential. But a loophole allowed families to make 200 gallons of wine per year for personal use, and Cesare saw an opportunity.

He began shipping California grapes for home winemaking, quickly noticing that many came from a place called Lodi. With a keen business sense, he moved his family to California, including his young son, Robert Mondavi, and launched his own grape-shipping enterprise. Robert’s first job was hands-on, nailing crates for his father’s grapes, a start that would spark a lifelong dedication to wine.

Raised with values of hard work, Robert Mondavi embraced his calling. He studied business and chemistry at Stanford, followed by viticulture and enology at UC Berkeley, preparing him to make waves in California’s burgeoning wine industry. This early groundwork would help shape the legacy of one of California’s most revered wine pioneers.

Mt. Vernon Winery

clusters of grapes

Mt. Vernon Vineyard and Winery is a small, family-owned and operated winery nestled in the grassy foothills of Auburn, California. The Taylor family transforms Sierra Foothills grapes into outstanding, lush aromatic wines, featuring riveting fruit flavors that are fit for a president.

The winery provides a majestic view and a relaxing atmosphere. Regarded as the largest winery in Placer County since Prohibition, Mt. Vernon offers an exceptional selection of wines and unique blends that are sure to captivate the taste buds.

Established in 1996, Mt. Vernon is pioneering the production of various foothill grapes, including Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah Port, Barbera, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold Country Nectar, and a Sur-lie aged barrel-fermented Chardonnay that is joining the Mt. Vernon collection.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso 

O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery

wine corks and glass - Pixabay

Betty O’Shaughnessy Woolls & Paul Woolls: Proprietors

Betty O’Shaughnessy Woolls grew up in rural Minnesota, where she developed a strong connection to the land. After completing college, she balanced raising a family with a successful career in real estate investment and development in Minneapolis. Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food and wine eventually led her from owning and teaching at a cooking school in Minneapolis to establishing a winery in Napa Valley.

Upon arriving in Napa, Betty was captivated by the region's natural beauty, vineyards, and favorable climate. In 1990, she purchased a parcel of land in Oakville, which included vineyards and a home site. This land allowed her to reconnect with her love for the soil and the fruits it yields. Over the next few years, she expanded her holdings by acquiring additional vineyards on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder, providing a diverse source of grapes. By the early 2000s, Betty had constructed a cave, crushed grapes into wine, and designed a winery structure, with the project completed just in time for the 2003 harvest.

Beyond her winery endeavors, Betty remains deeply involved in her community as a volunteer and philanthropist. In 2009, she took on a new role as a Trustee for Napa's Queen of the Valley Medical Center, furthering her commitment to the area.

Paul Woolls, like Betty, has Midwestern roots. He was born near Indiana University and later moved to New Mexico. It was there that he first developed an interest in wine, though he now humorously admits that the brands he initially enjoyed would not be embraced by serious vintners today. His passion for wine grew during college, where he would forgo basic necessities for a month to afford a meal at the only French restaurant nearby. His time in law school and subsequent legal practice further fueled his interest in wine, culminating in a fateful wine tasting event where he met Betty.

Together, Betty and Paul share the ambitious goal of crafting the best possible wines from the exceptional vineyards they manage. They are also blessed with a large family, including numerous daughters and a growing number of grandchildren, predominantly boys. As partners in life and winemaking, Betty and Paul continue their joyful journey at O’Shaughnessy Estate Winery.

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