USA – Wente
Wente Vineyards is the country's longest, continuously operated family-owned winery, founded in 1883.
Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, they draw from their estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines.
They are recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations featuring wine tasting, dining, concert experiences, championship golf and more.
In 1912, 2nd Generation Ernest Wente persuaded his father and founder, C.H. Wente to import Chardonnay cuttings from the vine nursery at the University of Montpellier France to the Livermore Valley and hand-picked the best of the best vines. Today, over 80% of all California Chardonnay stems from the Wente Clone. In viticulture a “clone” refers to vines descended from a single plant by taking a cutting or bud; in theory, each vine grown on a clone is genetically identical to the original vine.
Today, 5th Generation winegrower Karl D. Wente continues the Wente Clone through the families’ legacy of Chardonnay with four different styles: Morning Fog Chardonnay, Single Vineyard Riva Ranch Chardonnay, Small Lot Eric’s Chardonnay and Nth Degree Chardonnay.