Wente Vineyards
The company, founded in 1883, can be proud of its title – the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country; owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family.
The winery has an important part in the history of viticulture in California. 2nd Generation Ernest Wente persuaded his father and founder, C.H. Wente to import Chardonnay cuttings from the vine nursery at 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.
3rd Generation expands to Monterey pioneering the Arroyo Seco wine growing region, which is well known for its long and cool growing season, perfect for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
