Aerika Estate. When describing Mt. Veeder, adjectives like remote, rugged, and steeply forested are proper descriptors. And those characteristics all define Aerika Estate, overseen by its passionate proprietors, Julia van der Vink & Rob Black. But one has to visit and walk the property to get a real gut feeling of the place. This is not the valley floor. The … [Read more...]

Domaine Alice Hartmann is named after Alice Hartmann, who was gifted the property by family in 1927 as a wedding present. The main house dates back to at least 1824, with the cellar built sometime in the late 1790s. The Hartmanns were the first in the village to own a car, but tragically Alice’s husband died in a car accident in Luxembourg in 1937. She then … [Read more...]

Oleandri Wines was founded in 2017 by Fred D’Amato. Both sides of Fred’s family trace their roots to Sicily. His mother’s father immigrated to the United States, while his father’s parents remained in Sicily. Fred’s paternal grandfather made wine for the family and had a particular fondness for white wines. He primarily sourced white grapes from the slopes … [Read more...]

Bartlett Family Vineyards. Orignally from Michigan, proprietor Ron Bartlett's introduction to wine was through his work connections. In 1995 he became a new partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers; management asked him to move to New York and help with product development. And his wife Mary had recently taken on a CEO role for one of his clients. They maintained … [Read more...]

Surcos Wines (pronounced soor-cose). The family Napa Valley story begins with Enrique Gallegos Sr., who was from the small town of El Llano in Michoacán, Mexico. His immigration to California was part of the World War II Bracero program. Bracero, in Spanish means “manual” laborer – this program came about through various laws and agreements in 1942 between … [Read more...]

Cardoza Family Wines. The Cardoza family history, in terms of alcohol retail begins in the U.S. with Manuel J. Cardoza, born in the U.S. in 1898. He operated two speakeasies in New Bedford, MA from 1927 until 1933; patrons were the movers and shakers of the community. Cardoza opened UNION Wine Shop in New Bedford in 1933 at 257 Union Street. He received the … [Read more...]

Sorèlune Wine was founded by Nova Cadamatre with her first vintage in 2024, a Napa Valley Carneros Chardonnay. Outside the box in terms of how the wine is marketed, it is sold exclusively in kegs to restaurants. Nova began her winemaking career in Pennsylvania in 2003. She moved to New York to pursue a career in horticulture, primarily to explore her … [Read more...]

Mars Estate is located high on Howell Mountain on a "ridge peninsula" overlooking Pope Valley to the east. On an extremely clear winter’s day one can even see parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains far in the distance, which is one of several locations on Howell Mountain and on Atlas Peak where one has such views. This very scenic location is reminiscent of … [Read more...]

Don Chalo Cellars is homage to the Fernandez family's late father, Don Chalo, who immigrated to Napa Valley from Michoacán, Mexico in the 1970s. Michoacan is rich in culture, tradition, and natural beauty—known for its vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations, charming towns, indigenous Purépecha heritage, and diverse landscapes ranging from lakes to mountains. … [Read more...]

Elleary Wine was founded by Palo Alto residents, Shawn Karimi and his wife Vivien Wang Karimi with their first vintage produced in 2016. Shawn immigrated to the U.S. at age 16 from his hometown of Abadan, Iran located next to the Iraqi border. His career began as a chiropractor; he has long since been retired from that field and since 2002 operates, … [Read more...]