Night Wines was founded by winemaker Scott Mangelson and Heidi Bamburg - both met through their respective jobs in management, consulting and high tech. Wine making is a craft that one can learn by doing if one is endowed with the right amount of passion, curiosity, creativity and understanding of the related science. Take winemaker Scott Mangelson for … [Read more...]

Checkerboard Vineyards. It is rare to locate a Napa Valley property under one ownership that spans from the valley floor to the top of the mountains. Checkerboard Vineyards encompasses some 300 acres just south of Calistoga touching the valley floor and extending up to 2000 feet on the upper slopes of the Diamond Mountain Appellation. This was not always one … [Read more...]

Somnium Wine was founded by long time race-car driver and wine enthusiast Danica Patrick. Her career has in part been about breaking racing barriers for women. Her win in the 2008 Indy Japan 300 is still the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series. Her final races were the Daytona 500 in February 2018 and the Indy 500 in May 2018. Since retiring from … [Read more...]

GRATUS Vineyards was founded by Thomas and Victoria Wargovich. Thomas is originally from Pennsylvania and Victoria is from Virginia; both met on a blind date through Victoria's sister who worked in Thomas' medical office. Each has left prior careers, Thomas as a cardiac surgeon (along with teaching at the University of Florida for 10 years) and Victoria in … [Read more...]

Leaf & Vine was founded in 2010 by father son, Tim and Rick Keith. The family is from Salem, Oregon but for many years had a family connection to Napa Valley; Tim's grandfather, Edward Keith owned the Bar 49 Ranch in Chiles Valley and ran a children's camp from the 1950s through the 1970s. This huge property is now owned by Maxville Lake Winery. Tim and his … [Read more...]

Memento Mori was founded through a strong friendship between Hayes Drumwright, Adriel Lares & Adam Craun. Hayes and Adrial met while in high school when living in Alvin, Texas. Hayes attended Boston University where he met Adam as freshman while both were on the swim team. All three became very close friends. While at college and only 21 years of age, Hayes … [Read more...]

Roy Piper Wines. Roy grew up in Orange County (spending time in Yorba Linda and Newport Beach) and graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in psychology. After college he went into finance and worked for American Funds. During his time here he would often treat clients to fine meals; one of his favorite restaurants was Checkers located in downtown … [Read more...]

LEVY & MCCLELLAN was founded in 2004 by long time Napa winemakers and husband and wife, Bob Levy and Martha McClellan. Bob is a 4th generation Californian who grew up in Culver City (Los Angeles County). He remembers the first time he was introduced to wine - at age 17 by a brother-in-law - bottles became something he could collect, and he started doing so. … [Read more...]

Smith Devereux. The story of this winery begins with co-founder Ian White. Early in his professional career he was a writer working for Lonely Planet, at one point covering 28 states in an RV - describing his experiences as "a million first dates but never getting a kiss". Such is the life of the avid explorer and guidebook writer - always seeking … [Read more...]