The Wente Family. Photo Wente Vineyards
Three sisters are key players in shaping the future of Wente Vineyards. Their family has been in the winemaking business for 140 years in Livermore, California. These ladies oversee the marketing, direct-to-consumer sales development, and new product strategy.
Meeting Wente Vineyard’s Senior Ambassador Jordan Wente at OMNI Los Angeles’ vibrant NOÉ Restaurant & Bar, I learned this fifth-generation winegrower and brand manager worked in the vineyards with her sisters at an early age. “I learned how to drive a tractor at the age of 13,” said Jordan. She learned about grape varietals, harvest season and winemaking early in life.
After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder, she returned back to the family winery in the San Francisco Bay AVA region. The Wente family also have acres of estate-grown vineyards in Arroyo Seco in the Monterey County AVA. Together they have 3,000 acres growing 20 varieties of grapes to make their award-winning wines.
Wente Wine. Photo Jill Weinlein
Looking over the NOÉ Restaurant & Bar menu, we ordered a 2023 Wente Chardonnay and Jordan pulled out a 2021 Wente Cabernet Sauvignon that she brought from the winery to enjoy with a variety of appealing dishes.
I learned that in 1883, German immigrant Carl H. Wente purchased 48 acres of vineyard land in the Livermore Valley, California. He built a winery that continued to grow when second generation Ernest Wente persuaded his father to import Chardonnay cuttings from F. Richter Nursery in Montpellier, France. ‘The hand-picked vines showed the strength, health and flavor,’ said Jordan. ‘They grafted those strong characteristics to what is now the ‘Wente Clone’, which today makes up over 75% of all Chardonnay planted in California.’
Today, Wente Vineyards is the longest, continuously family-owned and operated winery in the United States. Winegrower Karl D. Wente continues the Wente Clone through the family’s legacy of Chardonnay with four different styles: Morning Fog Chardonnay, Riva Ranch Chardonnay, Small Lot Eric’s Chardonnay and nth DEGREE Chardonnay.
Chardonnay grapes grow on sloping hillsides, along stony riverbeds and at the base of sandstone cliffs. ‘The morning fog makes this a great region to grow Chardonnay grapes,’ said Jordan.
Taking a sip of this easy to drink Chardonnay, I discovered it pairs nicely with balsamic caramelized Brussel Sprouts and a Fall Pear Salad made with mixed greens, blackberries, goat cheese crumble, candied walnuts and a light balsamic tarragon vinaigrette.
Wente Wine. Photo Jill Weinlein
Opening the 2021 Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from Livermore Valley, I found this wine paired well with the savory vegan skirt steak that arrived at our table. Made with slices of Lions Mane mushrooms, it’s a flavorsome alternative to beef.
The ruby red grapes grow on the hillside and develop full maturity in the warmer temperatures of the Livermore Valley. This medium fruit forward wine offers aromatic notes of bright cherry, red currants and cassis. The subtle, yet pleasing oak influence adds a woody roasted cocoa nibs essence, accentuated by appealing ripe juicy plums and a touch of earthiness for a satisfying finish.
Tastings at Wente. Photo Wente Vineyards
Kick off 2025 with a wine tasting experience at Wente Vineyards. Seated tasting experiences start at $40. Guests have a choice to sit on the bucolic tasting patio to enjoy five different wines from Wente’s most current vintages. Tastings are also available inside the beautiful tasting room to taste a ‘Wente Clone’ Chardonnay, as well as a Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and other varietals on the rotating list.
Upgrade to a Cave Tour and Barrel Tasting Tour to discover the history of Wente Vineyards wine caves. Place your wine tasting glass next to a barrel to be one of the first to taste Wente’s fine wines. Tours start at 11 a.m. Sunday through Friday. Private groups can reserve this experience throughout the day.
