LIVERMORE, CA — For more than 140 years, Wente Family Vineyards has blended tradition, innovation and family passion in every bottle.
Fifth generation sisters Ali and Nikki Wente continue their grandparents’ legacy, driving sustainability, shaping the “grape to glass” story and inviting guests to experience a little part of the family every time they visit.
“When you visit Wente Family Vineyards, I want guests to feel like they have become part of our family,” said Nikki Wente, Director of Vineyard Operations. “You taste all our hard work. All the generations are in every bottle of wine.”
Founded in 1883, Wente Family Vineyards holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously family-owned and operated winery in the United States. The legacy began with Carl Wente in the Livermore Valley and continues today under the leadership of the fifth generation.
“(Carl) learned how to make wine in Napa Valley under Charles Krug,” said Ali Wente, senior vice president of hospitality, business and marketing, and granddaughter of Carl Wente. “He came to Livermore because Livermore was a wine growing area really similar to Napa.”
Ali and Nicky’s great-grandfather, Ernest, began growing Chardonnay in the Livermore Valley in 1908, importing seedlings from Burgundy.
“He curated this delicious style of fruit in Chardonnay and people started hearing about him,” Ali said. “Today, we believe about 75% of all California Chardonnay has genetic roots dating back to our family estate.”
“We come from a line of strong men who helped shape us,” Ali continued. “But now we have this incredible power of women leading the winemaking, leading the viticulture. So, we like to say ‘from grape to glass’. Women are kind of shaping the story at Wente right now.”
For Nikki, that story begins in generosity.
“I run our entire agricultural department, so every day I focus on the sustainable quality of our wine grapes and how to continue to produce the most beautiful wines possible from soil to bottle,” she said.
In the tasting lounge, Ali said, “You can park your car, taste the wine, play the 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, and then come back and maybe watch a concert or attend a food and wine experience. You’ll never have to move your car and you’ll have this wonderful day of enjoying the wine and being with people.”
Reflecting on the legacy, Nicky said: “My great-grandfather Karl Wente would have been amazed to see the success of all the generations over the years. We have a great passion for growing grapes, making wine and working as a family and that is very important to us.”
More information can be found at goevineyards.com.