Wente Vineyards is the longest continuously operated family-owned winery in the USA, celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2023. The current ownership and management is the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, frequently said to be ‘California’s first family of Chardonnay’.
The reputation of this Livermore Valley vineyard stretches back to second-generation winegrower Ernest Wente, who created the Wente Clone of Chardonnay back in 1912 by using Chardonnay cuttings from the University of Montpellier’s vine nursery. Today, around three quarters of all California Chardonnay is derived from the Wente Clone.
Modern-day Wente Vineyards maintains a leading role in Californian winegrowing, blending traditional techniques with more innovative winemaking processes and constantly improving its sustainability credentials. In 2022, the winery won a Green Medal Leader award for its dedication to sustainable practices.
Current winemaker Karl Wente’s wines are created from certified sustainable vineyards around California’s central coast, the blends coming together to form a diverse portfolio of fine wines under several labels.
