Legacy in Every Bottle: How 5 generations of the Wente family shaped California wine

For more than 140 years, Wente Family Vineyards has blended tradition, innovation and family passion in every bottle.

Fifth-generation sisters Aly and Niki Wente are carrying on their great-great-grandfathers legacy, leading with sustainability, shaping the story "from grape to glass" and inviting guests to experience a little piece of the family every time they visit.

"When you visit Wente Family Vineyards, I want guests to feel that they are coming to be a part of our family," said Niki Wente, director of Vineyard Operations. "You're tasting all of our hard work. All of 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 the Napa Valley under Charles Krug," said Aly Wente, senior vice president of Hospitality, Business and Marketing, and Carl Wente's great-great-granddaughter. "He came to Livermore because Livermore was a really similar wine growing region to Napa."

Aly and Niki's great-grandfather, Ernest, began planting Chardonnay in the Livermore Valley in 1908, importing cuttings from Burgundy.

"He curated this really flavorful fruit-forward style of Chardonnay and people started to hear about it. Today, we believe that around 75% of all California Chardonnay has genetic roots back to our familys property," Aly said.

"We come from a line of strong men who helped shape us," Aly continued. "But now we have this incredible force of women leading winemaking, leading viticulture. So, we like to say 'from grape to glass.' Women are really kind of shaping the story at Wente right now."

For Niki, that story begins in the vineyard.

"I run our entire agricultural division and so every day I'm really focused on sustainable quality of wine grapes and how to continue to produce the most beautiful wines possible from dirt to bottle," she said.

At the tasting lounge, Aly said, "You can park your car, taste wine, play an 18-hole championship Greg Norman-designed golf course, then come back and potentially see a concert or attend a food and wine experience. You'll never have to move your car and you get to have this wonderful day enjoying wine and being with people."

Reflecting on the legacy, Niki said, "My great-great-grandfather Carl Wente would be stunned silent at the success of all the generations over the years. We have so much passion for growing grapes and making wines and working as a family and it's just so important to us."

More info can be found at wentevineyards.com.