Three sisters play pivotal roles in the future of Wente Vineyards, a family-owned business with a 140-year legacy in winemaking situated in Livermore, California. They are tasked with overseeing marketing, developing direct-to-consumer sales strategies, and influencing new product initiatives.
During a meeting with Senior Ambassador Jordan Wente at NOÉ Restaurant & Bar in OMNI Los Angeles, I discovered her early experiences working alongside her sisters in the vineyards. As a fifth-generation winegrower and brand manager, Jordan recounted how she learned to operate a tractor at just 13 and absorbed information about grape varieties, harvest cycles, and the intricacies of winemaking.
Following her graduation from the University of Colorado Boulder, Jordan returned to her family’s winery nestled in the San Francisco Bay AVA region. The Wente family also manages extensive vineyards in Arroyo Seco within the Monterey County AVA, encompassing 3,000 acres that feature 20 grape varieties for their celebrated wines.
The Wente family’s winemaking heritage began in 1883 when Carl H. Wente, a German immigrant, acquired 48 acres of vineyard land in the Livermore Valley. In the second generation, Ernest Wente introduced Chardonnay cuttings sourced from F. Richter Nursery in Montpellier, France, leading to the creation of the ‘Wente Clone’, which now predominates California’s Chardonnay plantings.
Wente Vineyards holds the distinction of being the longest-running family-owned and operated winery in the United States. Karl D. Wente carries on the Chardonnay tradition by offering various styles from the Wente Clone, including Morning Fog Chardonnay, Riva Ranch Chardonnay, Small Lot Eric’s Chardonnay, and nth DEGREE Chardonnay.
To experience the exquisite flavors of Wente Vineyards, guests can participate in a seated tasting starting at $40, allowing them to sample five wines from the latest vintages on a picturesque tasting patio. For a more immersive experience, upgrades to a Cave Tour and Barrel Tasting Tour are available, providing an opportunity to explore the storied wine caves and be among the first to taste their exceptional offerings. Tours commence at 11 a.m. from Sundays to Fridays, with options for private group reservations available throughout the day.
Image Source: Sabzk / Shutterstock
