About Wente Vineyards
Founded in 1883 by C. H. Wente, Wente Vineyards is the oldest continuously operated family-owned winery in the United States, now run by the fourth and fifth generations of the family. It is also one of the most influential: the Wente clone of Chardonnay, selected here in the early twentieth century, underlies a large share of the Chardonnay planted across California.
The winery makes a broad range from estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco in Monterey, with Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon at the centre. The estate on Arroyo Road is a full destination in itself, with a tasting lounge, a restaurant, a golf course and a summer concert series.
Visiting
The Arroyo Road estate is about 50 minutes from San Francisco via Interstate 580. Tastings are by reservation, The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards serves lunch and dinner, and there is a second tasting room on Tesla Road among the family vineyards.
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