As a pioneer of the Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley, Stuart Smith has seen many changes over the years. He took an entrepreneurial leap in 1971 when at age 22 years old, he purchased the 200-acre property on Spring Mountain. From its beginning to the present day, it has been a challenging endeavor, but
One has to ask what the term summit means? Is it the top of the mountain? Is it the peak of one’s accomplishments in life? The meaning for Summit Lake Vineyards encompasses both those meanings. The winery’s location almost at the top of Howell Mountain, 2000 feet speaks for itself. Owner Bob Brakesman was one
For many in the Napa wine industry, life began in the 1970s. You had the Judgment of Paris, which essentially put Napa Valley on the map from the world’s perspective, but at the same time, you had many lesser-known pioneers who were forging their way to make their statement in wine. One family that moved
Life takes many twists and turns, and for many winemakers, their career beginnings drove them down quite a different path. Besides the approach to winemaking, it is this past that can also define the future of their style of winemaking and especially true for Tony Arcudi, Arcudi Wines. Being of Italian descent, Tony grew up
It was a real treat to participate in the first-ever winemaker dinner at Ocean Prime Beverly Hills. This dinner featured the new 2012 releases from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars presented by winemaker Marcus Notaro. Having just attended a special luncheon that included The Art of Aging by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, it was an added
For a wine writer, discovering an absolutely superb wine is like finding nirvana. Add in the ingredients of a consistent portfolio of wine, an outstanding winemaker, and a magnificent and architecturally pleasing setting for a winery. Such was the case when I had the opportunity to visit with Mark Beringer at Artesa Winery located in