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THE GRAZIANO FAMILY OF WINES
In 1988 Greg Graziano and his wifeTrudi started their own winery, the Graziano Family of Wines. The first two brands were established: Saint Gregory (producing Burgundian-styled wines) and Monte Volpe (specializing in Italian grape varieties from Central & Southern Italy). During this start-up period, Greg also served as winemaker for Hidden Cellars, where he created the luxurious Sauvignon Blanc “Alchemy”.
In the spring of 1997, he added the Enotria label to the Family of Wines. The Enotria brand features grape varieties native to the Italian Piedmont region. In the fall of 1998, Greg moved his winery and crushing facility from Ukiah to the picturesque historic Fetzer Estate in Redwood Valley.
In fall of 2001, Greg produced the first wines under the Graziano label. This brand specializes in Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc from old hillside vineyards located throughout Mendocino County.
QUADY
Andrew and Laurel Quady left crowded southern Califonia and their jobs in pyrotechnics and merchandising to pursue their dream: a non-urban way of life making wine. Returning to school, Andew graduated with a masters in Food Science-Enology from UC Davis and Laurel became a licensed CPA. In 1975, at the urging of friend Darrell Corti, they made their first port from Amador County Zinfandel at the now defunct Lodi Vintners where Andrew was working as an assistant winemaker. In 1977, settled in Madera in California’s Central Valley with Andrew working at Heublein, they built a small winery behind their country home and made port on evenings and weekends.
In 1980 they decide to add a fortified white dessert wine to their line. The wine, from the obscure Orange Muscat grape variety was named Essensia and became a major success. In 1983, opportunity knocked when they were offered a crop of Black Muscat grapes which became the first Elysium.
By 1984 the expanding business needed space and Andrew and Laurel needed help. Fresno State graduate and former Peace Corp member Michael Blaylock, now winemaker, and Cheryl Russell, now general manager, joined and a new winery was completed. With Their enthusiasm and dedication the winery continued to grow, developing more unique wines: Starborad (our euphemism for port), Electra (white and red) and VYA vermouth.
SAMANTHA STARR
Samantha Starr is a new label owned by Sam Balderas the former winemaker at Talbott Vineyards. Each year a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir will be made in small lots from the finest grapes grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey County. Each vintage Sam will strive to produce wines that have the flavor and complexity that this region has come to be known for. Current releases are 4000 cases of 2004 monterey County Chardonnay and 4000 cases of 2005 Monterey County Pinot Noir.
CONSILIENCE
Consilience was founded in 1999 when after years of planning, the aspirations of two couples became a reality. There, of course, is a long story, but the short of it began when winemaker Brett Escalera, is wife Monica, and Tom and Jodi Daughters met back in 1990 with many common values and interests. Wine and the lifestyle surrounding it were of particular interest to them, and after years of planning, education and good old fashinoned perseverance Consilience started with a small production of 1997 Syrah from Santa Barbara County. The production has grown, but they remain a small producer of premeium wines loosely focused around the typical Rhone varietals. It all starts with the grapes, and they have been fortunate to establish relationships with some of the best vineyards and growers around Santa Barbara County, from whom they purchase most of their fruit. This has been pivotal in their quest to reliably produce the big, intense wines that have defined their style.
BRANDER
C. Frederic Brander, owner and winemaker, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He moved with his family and settled in Santa Barbara, California. Fred started his career in the wine business by working for a local wine merchant, and later went to work in the wholesale business. While attending college, he started his own wine import company, focusing on wines from France and Argentina.
Wishing to make his own wines, and with a fondness for Santa Barbara, Fred ad his family established The Brander Vineyard in 1975. The initial planting was mainly Bordeaux grape varietals and in 1977, the first Sauvignon Blanc grapes were taken to a neighboring winery where Fred produced a wine so distinctive that it captured Santa Barbara County’s first gold medal for a wine at a major wine competition (1978 LA County Fair).
Since its inception, The Brander Vineyard has been highly acclaimed as a top Sauvingnon Blanc producer, and for many years the only wine was an estate-bottled Sauvignon Blanc. Today the focus is still Sauvingnon Blanc, with one main bottling and five distinctly different reserve wines.
A small quantity of red wine is also produced from estate grapes, featuring the classic Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. In addition, extremely small amounts of Bouchet (a Bordeaux blend) and a Reserve Cabernet Sauvingnon are offered.
KEN BROWN WINES
Life has a way of coming full circle. This could not ring more true as Ken Brown embarks on his latest endeavor, Ken Brown Wines. This venture has led him back to the vineyards, the wines and the excitement that brought him to Santa Barbara County in the first place nearly 30 years ago.
Ken’s first experience with Pinot Noir in what is now known as the Santa Rita Hills came in 1976 when he met Richard Sanford & Michael Benedict and tasted one of the first Pinot Noirs from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. Tasting that first 1976 release was a profound moment in his life as the amazing qualities of that wine were a window to the future and compelled him to stay and devote his career to the area.
In the years since then, he has continued to explore the tremendous potential of Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County, experimenting with clones, rootstocks, terroir, and winemaking techniques. In the 20 years he spent as founder and winemaker at Byron Vineyards and Winery in the Santa Maria Valley, he relished each vintage, consistently pursuing the elusive traits that make great Pinot Noir.
His new venture, Ken Brown Wines, is born of his inspiration from the past, and moreover, his passion for the future.
WHITE OAK
In 1981 Bill Myers purchased a vineyard in the Alexander Valley and began to make wine. These small lots of hand made artisan quality wines were sold out of a tasting room in downtown Healdsburg. He quickly became known for producing award winning Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel. Encouraged by his success, Bill founded White Oak Vineyards & Winery. Over the next 16 years, these small lots of wine were produced and sold primarily to consumers.
In 1997 Bill formed an alliance with Burdell Properties in order to pursue his vision of expansion and creating the foundation of today’s White Oak. Burdell and partner Don Groth brought over 650 acres of prime Napa and Russian River Valley vineyards to the partnership. The following year an impressive winery and hospitality center were built on a beautiful 17 acre vineyard site in the Alexander Valley.
Presently White Oak Vineyards & Winery has nearly 700 acres of vineyards divided between the Napa, Alexander, and Russian River Valleys. Roughly 10% of this fruit is used in White Oak wines with the balance being sold to other well know, prestigious wineries. We are currently producing five artisan quality wines for national distribution. Our white wines are represented by a Russian River Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Our red wines are Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
