John Shafer began making wine in 1978 and was eager for his son Doug to join him as the lead winemaker, but Doug turned him down two or three times before finally agreeing to a partnership in 1983, which they refer to as the “generation and a half” or One Point Five. The father-son team…

Embodying the same passion for agriculture and tradition that’s been in their family for six generations, beginning in Northern Italy, Gamba Family expresses it all through the lens of their ancient 100-year-old vines. Gus acts as the human conduit for the vines to tell their story in every vintage. Gus Gamba considers himself a steward…

Spending his youth helping out on his family’s estate in Avenay-Val d’Or, Champagne, Luc Morlet’s interest in wine began very early on. He spent several years honing his practical knowledge working internships in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Southern France while completing a Master’s degree in Oenology and an MBA in Wine Business. Moving to California in…

Ranking 8th among the world’s best vineyards, Vik Winery was created by Alex and Carrie Vik on a foundation of science, driven by the determination to create Chile’s greatest wines. They equipped their winery with state-of-the-art tools, allowing their team the freedom range to vinify without regard for cost, making every decision solely on its…

Laird Family Estate Winery models strength, consistency, and value, and when it comes to traditionally styled wines, theirs are some of the best. They’re one of Napa Valley’s preeminent farming families, which is advantageous to their fruit selection, providing the right components for former Lewis Cellars winemaker Brian Mox to craft brilliant wines, representing the…

Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine lover who first planted vineyards in 1978, just down the road from Kistler and Dehlinger. Stephen Hansel, Walter’s son, planted additional acres in the late 1980s, founded the winery in 1996, and made the first commercial vintage. Stephen Hansel’s mentor was the legendary Tom Rochioli, who helped him in…

No wine has ever broken the 100 point scale, but Jayson Woodbridge pushes it to the extreme each year with his Hundred Acre Cabernets. The winery defines the use of impeccable fruit sources, intense farming, and a highly-skilled winemaker. Still, it’s Jayson’s relentless pursuit of perfection with absolutely no compromises and no single detail overlooked that…

Masterfully blended to highlight the most defining characteristics of world-class Sonoma County vineyards, DuMOL’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnays embody the culmination of small decisions over the last 20 years. The wines harmoniously capture the Russian River Valley as a whole and are displayed with charisma, mindful balance, and captivating power.…

The Martinelli Family’s intimate knowledge of their land developed over 135 years, encompassing six generations with an unsurpassed dedication to farming and crafting wines expressing their place and heritage. Their plantings include Jackass Hill; The steepest non-terraced vineyard in Sonoma County at a death-defying 65 degrees slope, compared to today’s 30 degrees limit. Guardians of…