The Prisoner Wine Company is named after the flagship wine that founding winemaker Dave Phinney originally produced with his inaugural release from 2000, a mere 385 cases. Dave ultimately sold The Prisoner to Huneeus Vintners (owners of Rutherford based Quintessa Winery) in 2010 at which point the brand was producing around 85,000 cases of wine each year. … [Read more...]

Vineyard 36 is a partnership between two former NHL players and teammates on the Carolina Hurricanes, Cam Ward and Tim Gleason and founder of Napa based Tobacco Road Cellars, Jason Earnest. Cam enjoyed a long career with the Carolina Hurricanes as goalie before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks and then the Charlotte Checkers before joining the Carolina … [Read more...]

FiftyRow Vineyards was founded by Paul (who we originally met with) and Marion Johnson and winemaker Gary Galleron in 2002. Both Paul and Marion grew up around wine, Marion was born and raised in the Rheingau part of Germany; Paul spent some twenty years living and working in parts of Europe including Sweden and Spain. Wine was often a part of family meals. … [Read more...]

Mascot Wine. Proprietor, Will Harlan was raised in Napa Valley and was surrounded by an excellent pedigree of family-owned vineyards and wineries; perhaps it is no surprise that inevitably he would begin his own wine brand. His father Bill Harlan, founded Harlan Estate, BOND and later Promontory. While co-founding an online shopping site based in the Silicon … [Read more...]

Mark Herold Wines operates a tasting room within a short walk of the Oxbow Public Market near the Napa River. Relatively not that long ago, there were no tasting rooms in this part of the city of Napa; today there a number within a block or two of each other. Visit one, visit several, they are all within easy walking distance of each other. Early in the … [Read more...]

Fantesca Winery is located on a very historical property in the less traveled Spring Mountain District, in the lower Mayacamas mountains a few minute drive west of the town of St. Helena. Grapes were originally planted on the property in the 1860s which was part of a dowry from Caroline Bale when she married Charles Krug; reference the nearby Bale Grist Mill … [Read more...]

Carneros della Notte meaning 'Carneros of the night' in Italian, is a Napa Carneros based producer owned and operated by founder David Harmon. Began in 2003, the focus of their production is on Pinot Noir (including a one-of-a-kind late harvest wine from this variety), Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Man David has led 'many' lives. Raised in … [Read more...]

Sill Family Vineyards. Founder Igor Sill has led a diverse second career centered around wine. He holds his Court of Master Sommelier degree, has judged select wine competitions including the annual International Wine Challenge held in London. He learned winemaking while studying at the University of California Davis (their viticulture program). He also … [Read more...]