ELLMAN Estate Winery was founded by two brothers, Neil and Lance Ellman. Both were born in South Africa and moved with their family to the United States when they were very young (to the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area) in 1974. Their grandfather Nathan Ellman started Softex in 1954, a pillow and bedding manufacturing business in South Africa (the family grew … [Read more...]

Vice Versa Wine. Founder Patrice Breton was born in Ottawa; during his youth he gravitated towards art, books and later wine. And at age 19 (the legal drinking age in Ottawa is 18) he wasn't able to afford many wines but was able to try a particular sauternes, a 1983 Château Guiraud. Hooked but without a large budget he began to purchase books on wine to … [Read more...]

Venge Vineyards is owned by talented winemaker Kirk Venge. Kirk was born in Rutherford, Napa Valley and like his father, winemaker Nils Venge, graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1998 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. In addition to winemaking at Venge Vineyards, Kirk is also a highly sought after consulting winemaker working with … [Read more...]

CHANDON California is one of Napa Valley's iconic and well- visited wineries; they are only one of four Napa Valley based wineries that focus on sparkling wine production, i.e. Champagne style wines (the others being Mumm Napa Valley, Domain Carneros and Schramsberg). CHANDON California owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH); LVMH also owns or has part … [Read more...]

Mayacamas Vineyards is a historic winery located high in the Mayacamas mountains west of Napa Valley near Mt. Veeder. The winery sits on the edge of a crater of an extinct volcano. One can clearly see parts of the surrounding crater with its still standing prominent stone rock formations. Approximately 49 acres of vineyards are planted on the 475-acre … [Read more...]

Silver Oak was founded in 1972; their remarkable success story begins with two men, co-founders Justin Meyer and Raymond (Ray) Twomey Duncan (both deceased). Ray was born in South Bend Indiana to parents Walter Sr (a World War I veteran) and Velma Twomey Duncan; he was raised in La Salle, Illinois (population today around 9,500 residents) and graduated in … [Read more...]

Reverie Winery Estate is a boutique producer, originally located in the Diamond Mountain Appellation south of the town of Calistoga. It was founded by Norm Kiken and his late wife Evelyn Kiken. Their first vintage was in 1996. Norm's introduction to wine began in a dentist's chair in 1973 on the east coast while waiting for a root canal. While browsing … [Read more...]

Aonair Winery and Caves is owned and operated by long time Napa Valley winemaker Grant Long Jr. He has lived in Napa Valley most of his life having moved here from the San Francisco Bay Area as a child. His father collected wines for many years and when an opportunity arose to move to wine country, the family settled in Napa Valley. While in high school he … [Read more...]

PROMISE Wine is a boutique producer, founded in 2004 by proprietor Stephen McPherson. Stephen was introduced to wine early on in his life. His family was living in Paris where his father was the headmaster for the American School in Paris. Stephen's father was passionate about wine - even taking classes from Steven Spurrier the British wine expert and wine … [Read more...]

Grace Family Vineyards (not to be confused with Grace Vineyards in China or Grace Wines in Japan) was our 500th visit with a Napa Valley based winery or brand and as a result was a significant personal milestone. We had researched this winery for a long time; besides the top reviews of their wine, we knew about their remarkable international humanitarian … [Read more...]