Their wines were good, and actually moderately priced. The one that really stood out was their Gemini a Zinfandel-Syrah blend?  We also picked up a bottle of their Full Moon a Zinfandel, Syrah and Cab Franc blend. Worth a stop if you are in Paso.

Midnight Cellars had its origins in a slightly tipsy, laughter-filled moment on the back patio at Domaine Carneros during the summer of 1993. While enjoying a family getaway to Napa and Sonoma and after several winery visits, Rich made a whimsical statement that would later prove to be life-changing: "Hey old man, when you retire you should buy a place like this and have us run it for you."

Initially laughed off and soon forgotten, the idea resurfaced years later when Robert, ready to retire early from his career as a patent attorney, still brimming with energy and passion, recalled Rich's suggestion. He approached Rich with the proposition, "If you were serious about this winery idea, I'm in."

At the time, Rich was newly married and living in Chicago with his wife Michele, and their first reaction was a firm "no way, Dad." However, after considerable reflection and several glasses of wine, Michele and Rich decided to embrace the unconventional plan. They sold their new house, one of their cars, and made the move to California to start anew. Despite how improbable it sounded, they followed through with the plan. They arrived in California on July 31, 1995, and immediately immersed themselves in country life—one that lacked bars, restaurants, and shopping. The city dwellers from Chicago experienced a significant culture shock.

Each family member took on a specific role and began learning their responsibilities: Robert and Mary Jane focused on the overall operations, Michele managed the tasting room and later took on bookkeeping duties, while Rich learned the intricacies of planting, maintaining, and harvesting the vineyard, as well as winemaking.

After 29 years of steep learning curves, the family remains committed to making wine accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for everyone.

Bonny Doon Vineyard kicked off its adventure with a daring—if somewhat misguided—attempt to bring Burgundy vibes to California. But Randall Grahm soon discovered that the real magic lay in crafting distinctive and original wines using Rhône varieties right in the beautiful Central Coast. A delightful lesson learned (albeit by chance) was that blended wines absolutely flourish in a warm, Mediterranean climate. Who knew?

Fast forward to 1986, when Bonny Doon released its inaugural vintage of Le Cigare Volant (the 1984 vintage)—a playful homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This wine quickly became the winery’s flagship starship brand, launching Bonny Doon into the hearts of wine lovers everywhere.

From that point, Bonny Doon Vineyard embarked on a wild ride of innovation! It led the charge in popularizing Rhône grapes across California and was the first to introduce cryo-extraction techniques for its whimsical “Vins de Glacière.” They also pioneered microbullage, embraced screwcaps for premium wines, and kicked off a true transparency revolution with ingredient labeling. Talk about a creative whirlwind that jazzed up the California wine scene—though it did come with a bit of a focus challenge!

As Bonny Doon grew, it became a home for fan-favorite brands like Big House, Cardinal Zin, and Pacific Rim, rocketing up to the 28th largest winery in the United States. But Randall had an epiphany—his beloved winery had drifted away from its original mission of making soulful, standout wines. While he relished those effortless restaurant reservations, he knew it was time for a change.

So, he bravely decided to part ways with the larger brands (Big House and Cardinal Zin in 2006, followed by Pacific Rim in 2010). With a fresh perspective, Bonny Doon Vineyard set out to create the unique and expressive wines that had always been its true passion. Wine lovers can now continue to enjoy this exciting evolution and savor the incredible wines that flow from this legendary vineyard.

In 1987, Jim Summers acquired a 28-acre vineyard nestled in Knights Valley, a region located northwest of Calistoga between Mount St. Helena and the Alexander Valley. At the time, the property was predominantly planted with Merlot grapes, established 30 years earlier by Dan Duckhorn, along with some Muscat Canelli. The inaugural vintage of Summers Ranch Reserve Merlot was produced in 1992, yielding 900 cases. Today, the estate also produces Petite Sirah from the Knights Valley vineyard. Known for its warm climate, volcanic soils, and proximity to Napa Valley, Knights Valley has recently garnered increased attention for its Bordeaux varietals.

In 1996, Summers expanded their vineyard holdings by acquiring 25 acres at the intersection of Highway 128 and Tubbs Lane in Napa Valley. This property, now known as Summers Estate Wines, is home to the Villa Andriana Vineyard, named in honor of their daughter. While the estate has been fully revitalized to maximize its potential, the 40-year-old Zinfandel vines are meticulously preserved. The winery and tasting room, surrounded by over 22 acres of Zinfandel, Charbono, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, strike a perfect balance between pleasure and productivity.

Summers' signature wine is the distinctive Charbono, a varietal believed to be an early Italian adaptation of Charbonneau, a French grape. Some argue it is closely related to the Dolcetto variety, which is commonly grown in northern Italy. The Charbono vine produces large berries that create a deeply colored red wine, known for its rich fruit flavors and low tannin content when subjected to extended skin contact during fermentation.

The Summers Estate, with its scenic vineyard views in Calistoga, California, stands as a testament to the region's rich winemaking heritage.