Apriori Cellar was founded by former high school classmates Patrice Breton and Georges Sabongui. Both met in high school in Ottawa, Canada - were friends and then as often happens after high school they lost contact with each other. Interestingly both became involved in the high tech industry. Georges has enjoyed wine for many years and moved west to be … [Read more...]

AuburnJames Winery was created as a joint venture between winemaker Jim Frost, Jim's sister Mary and Matt Ospeck. The idea for this winery was created after Jim and Matt met for the first time at a friend's pool party. James made wine under the label Hidden Creek for several years until Auburn James was formed in 2008. While James has long been attracted to … [Read more...]

Toivola Vineyards are owned by Arto and Cheryl Toivola. Arto and Cheryl met while both were studying at UC Berkeley. Both have enjoyed wines for many years. While living in California they decided they wanted a change of pace and moved to Portland Oregon. While there they were exposed to a number of fine Oregon Pinot Noir's. They decided to move back to … [Read more...]

Bos Wine was founded by proprietor David Bos with his first vintage from 2010. David earned a double major at Hope College in Michigan in English and Religion and as he says, "with those degrees I could become a bartender, minister or professor". He became a bartender which ultimately led to a job at a good restaurant in Chicago. While here, he was … [Read more...]

Reserve Room by Mark Herold Wines is the second tasting room owned and operated by Mark Herold in the city of Napa. This private/appointment only tasting room opened in May 2016. Unlike their original location near the Oxbow Public Market which is open by walk-in and can get busy in the afternoons, this Reserve Room is tucked away on an quiet alley off of … [Read more...]

Pneu Wines was founded by Scott Lewis (owner of V Wine Cellar in Yountville) and his friends Gary and Cheryl Van Brunt. Born in Limerick Ireland, Scott followed his chef and hotelier father's footsteps; Scott has worked at some of the finest hotels in London in Food and Beverage Management including at the Dorcester and Grosvenor. In 1990 he was one of a … [Read more...]

Nine Suns. The Chang Family purchased this property in 2010 from developer and majority owner of the San Diego Chargers football team, Alex Spanos. The family sold the winery to Realm Cellars in 2022 (see our notes at the bottom of this review). The Chang's three children (Aimee, Jason and Chris) have all been instrumental in the development of the property, … [Read more...]

Alyris Vineyards was founded by Ewan & Cyndy Downie with the release of their 2013 vintage. Ewan was not always interested in wines - rather was more of a 'beer drinker' as he puts it. But a colleague introduced him to fine wine over dinner one night. He told Ewan he was going to order a bottle of very fine wine to enjoy with their meal. Ewan was indifferent … [Read more...]