Technology meets tradition at the Wente Vineyards winery. This fusion of old and new is a Wente family legacy, from third generation winemaker Karl L. Wente's adoption of stainless steel fermentation in the 1960s, to present-day experimentation with yeasts and unique red wine press designs. The willingness to innovate and experiment has been a hallmark of the Wente family operations since they introduced the first varietally labeled wines in the 1930s.

Today, fifth generation winemaker Karl D. Wente carries on the family winemaking tradition. "There is no separation between what happens out in our vineyards and what takes place in the winery," says Karl. "Winemaking has to be a collaborative effort, because you can't make great wines without a mutual understanding of your objectives. We all recognize that our first priority is growing grapes that have the potential to become excellent wines. We then tailor our methods and techniques in the winery to preserve the delicate flavors in the fruit and to elevate an expression of the vineyard terroir."

Today, the Wentes remains focused on the family's enduring winemaking philosophy of creating vintages that reflect their vineyard origins and the unique qualities of the San Francisco Bay, Livermore Valley and Monterey, Arroyo Seco appellations.