The winery’s original founder, French-born Louis Mel, was captivated by the unusually gravelly soil akin to some of the great vineyard sites of France. He built the original gravity-flow winery and planted the vineyard with imported cuttings from the famed Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux. Upon his retirement in the early 1930s, Louis sold the winery to friend and neighbor, Ernest Wente. It has been more than 20 years since Ernest’s grandson, fourth-generation winegrower Philip Wente, realized a lifelong dream of restoring the historic winery and surrounding vineyards. The winery’s signature releases (one white and one red) are both handcrafted to represent the best of the harvest and the best of the vineyard with each vintage.

www.murrietaswell.com

Fifth generation grape growers Steve and Lori Felten are often asked why they gave their winery the unusual name of Klinker Brick. Heavier than regular bricks, klinker bricks are found in many historical Craftsman-style buildings in the Lodi area, including Steve and Lori’s home. Their deep, rich color and massive density remind the Feltens of the qualities found in their Old Vine Zinfandel. At the 2013 Indy International Wine Competition alone, the Old Ghost Zinfandel, the Marisa Old Vine Zinfandel, and the Farrah Syrah were all awarded Gold medals. The Bricks and Mortar (a Red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel) received Double Gold.

www.klinkerbrick.com

The name Hope appears in every chapter of the 30-plus year wine industry history of Paso Robles. Chuck Hope planted one of the first vineyards just east of the Salinas River in 1978, and was instrumental in establishing the region’s solid reputation for high quality grape growing. He helped other vineyards get their start and was a founding member of what is now the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Chuck’s son Austin Hope became a winemaker and is now Chairman of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Today, this innovative farming family owns Hope Family Wines, producer of the Liberty School, Treana, Candor, Troublemaker, and Austin Hope brands.

www.hopefamilywines.com

As a tribute to the distinctive grapes of the Alexander and Russian River Valleys, the Trione family founded Trione Vineyards & Winery and started making wines of its own. Brothers Mark and Victor Trione have farmed and managed some of Sonoma County’s finest premium wine vineyards for more than 35 years. When the family decided to start its own portfolio, Mark’s daughter Denise stepped up to help. The first vintage was released to rave reviews and a flurry of medals followed. "Working with the Trione family is a winemaker’s dream come true," winemaker Scot Covington says proudly. "The foundation for our wines is some of the best fruit in the country."

www.trionewinery.com

Making its mark on the stunningly beautiful Columbia River Gorge, Cathedral Ridge Winery captures rave reviews, including Wine Press Northwest’s 2007 Oregon Winery of the Year and Wine & Spirits’ Top 50 Pinot Noirs. More recently, Cathedral Ridge was awarded a Double Gold Medal for its Barbera Reserve at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Cathedral Ridge Winery was founded in 2003, when Robb Bell purchased the former Flerchinger Vineyards. He named the winery Cathedral Ridge after the striking knife-edge ridge running off the northwest summit of Mount Hood. This impressive ridgeline is known to climbers as difficult to find, but worth the trip. Robb expresses this same passion in his wines.

www.cathedralridgewinery.com

The beauty of Beringer Vineyards is evident in the wines and fully realized when one visits its historic grounds in the Napa Valley. Beringer is the region’s oldest continuously operating winery, with a winemaking tradition dating back 130 years. It was first to offer public tours and remains at the top of the savvy Napa Valley visitor’s list of places to tour and taste. The winery’s magnificent grounds are the first indication that one is in for a special treat. The estate hosts several tasting experiences including private sit-down tastings with cheese plates; Cabernet Sauvignon evaluation seminars; and regular and reserve tastings in many unique spots like the Old Winery, the wraparound porch of the Rhine House, and inside, at the mansion’s ornate reserve tasting bar.

www.beringer.com

Widely known as the Father of California Viticulture, Agoston Haraszthy first established Buena Vista Winery in 1857. A committed farmer and experimental vintner, the “Count of Buena Vista” is credited with creating California’s first gravity flow winery, excavating the area’s first wine caves, and introducing Redwood barrels for aging and fermentation: he imported more than 300 different varieties to California from Europe. Today, 157 years later, Buena Vista Winery has undergone a massive renovation, fueled by Jean-Charles Boisset, president of Boisset Family Estates, who purchased the winery in 2011.

www.buenavistawinery.com

When Pepper Bridge Winery was founded 16 years ago, it was Walla Walla Valley’s 18th winery. Since then, the Walla Walla wine industry has flourished, and so has the winery’s reputation. Today, Pepper Bridge Winery is known for its elegant, balanced wines handcrafted from grapes grown in its two renowned, sustainably farmed estate vineyards, Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills. Wine Spectator has referred to the Pepper Bridge site as a “vineyard name to know,” and Wine & Spirits has named Seven Hills as a top vineyard site worldwide. This June, the winery’s first white wine, the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, was released to high praise. Pepper Bridge Winery remains committed to producing high-quality Walla Walla Valley wines while leaving the smallest footprint possible.

www.pepperbridge.com