Down to Earth: Karl Wente and the Wines of Wente Vineyards

Although I’ve met Karl Wente on several occasions, each encounter was brief. The first time, during an excursion to Livermore Valley prior to the 2016 Wine Blogger’s Conference, we sat across from each other during a stunning alfresco wine pairing dinner held at sunset (click here for the article). The second time was a year ago when Karl and his band, Wolf Hamlin and the Front Porch Drifters, entertained guests with toe-tapping music and a selection of Wente Vineyards wines at City Winery in Chicago. The engagement was part of his #MakeTimeForMusic tour to a few cities in the United States (click here for the article).

Most recently, I was invited to spend quality time with Karl Wente in Chicago on the last morning of his multi-day visit. While hotel guests attempted to wake up with lattes and chai tea, our corner of the lobby boasted enlightening conversation and delicious wines.

Make Time for Karl Wente

Perhaps you already know that Karl Wente is a fifth-generation member of the iconic Wente family. Their business, Wente Vineyards, is the oldest continuously-operated family-owned winery in the country, now celebrating its 135^th year. With estate vineyards in Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations, their award-winning wines are distributed around the globe. I’ve loved wines from Wente for years thanks to their true California style and affordability.

During our conversation, I admitted that I’m always curious about the path to a family winery business taken by the younger generation. Karl talked about attending Stanford University, his stint on the basketball and rugby teams, and the rigor and discipline involved with working towards a degree in Chemical Engineering. His parents never pressured him to join the wine business, yet he admitted that his father, with his strong business and analytical skills, and his mother, with her love of life and positive spirit, have been incredibly influential in his decisions. After undergraduate work, Karl received two Master’s degrees from the University of California – Davis. One degree was in Horticulture (Viticulture) and the other in Food Science (Enology). Although he was raised in the shadow of vineyards, Karl continued his experience with work at Peter Michael Winery in Sonoma and Brown Brothers winery in northern Victoria, Australia.

What I loved about our chat was that this incredibly intelligent person is easygoing and engaging. (I actually put my pen and notes aside because it was a joy to chat with someone who is, quite frankly, authentic…at 9:30am, no less!) He reads 26 books a year, the most recent being From Bacteria to Bach and Back – The Evolution of Minds by Daniel C. Dennet. When he’s not reading, listening to audiobooks, or playing music with his band, Karl may be found somewhere on the ski slopes. His sport these days is telemark skiing, a technique that combines elements of Nordic and Alpine skiing.

And, oh yeah. He’s also the winemaker of a company that received Wine Enthusiast’s Winery of the Year Award in 2011. Karl seamlessly joined Wente Family Estates in 2001 and now holds the titles of Chief Winemaker and COO at Wente Vineyards. He oversees all winemaking and has been responsible for introducing the Nth Degree line to the portfolio. Karl plans to “stay the course to do more of what works” and expand offerings to appreciative consumers. He feels that each wine in the portfolio “must exude a sense of place, characteristics of a particular varietal, elegance, and balance”. I admit that the four wines we sipped that morning were spot-on examples of just that.

The Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Estate Grown Chardonnay 2016 ($11.99) is one that I regularly recommend to winelovers who are interested in an affordable, versatile, and down-right delicious wine. This wine, named for the “morning coastal fog pushed by Pacific wind that streams into the bowl of the San Francisco Bay and is lured inland by Livermore Valley’s unique East-West orientation”, is fermented in 50% neutral American oak barrels and 50% stainless steel tanks. On the nose, refreshing citrus, lemon, and pears can be found. On the palate, creamy texture and flavors of tropical fruit, pears, butter, oak, and touch of spice combined with zesty acidity and a lasting mineral-driven finish, thanks, in part, to Livermore Valley’s alluvial soil.

Rich, broad flavors in each sip of Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 ($17.99) can be attributed, in part, to 90% of the grapes fermented in a combination of 60% and 40% second use French and American oak. The grapes, cultivated on gravelly soil, went through 100% malolactic fermentation. They were then barrel aged sur lie for eight months. Notes of citrus, banana, and lemons were intense and bright on the nose while flavors of vanilla, stone fruit, lemon zest, tropical fruit, and apples were exceptional. Truly balanced with just-right acidity, a round mouthfeel, and luscious finish, fill your glass one more time.

Pinot Noir lovers will appreciate each sip of this elegant example: Wente Riva Ranch Pinot Noir 2014 ($24.99). 100% Pinot Noir from Arroyo Secco vineyards, located on gravel loam soil rich in shale and limestone deposits, was aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral French oak prior to bottling. On the nose and palate, I found elements of black cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, crisp orchard fruit, baking spice, and earth threaded with minerality, bright acidity and firm tannic structure. The persistent finish was as delightful as the price.

The Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($24.99) was named after the first agricultural commissioner in California; Charles Wetmore was known for planting premium vine cuttings from Bordeaux in Livermore – the rest is history. Balanced, textured, and complex, this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 4% Petite Sirah, grown on clay hillside vineyards and alluvial soil, was a delicious finale to the morning. I noted intense aromas of oak, vanilla, red fruit, and blackberries. On the palate, I discovered more of the same, as well as luscious acidity and powerful tannins. Aged for 20 months in 40% French oak and 60% used French oak barrels, this wine is a brilliant choice to pair with your next steak dinner.

Karl takes much pride in the Wente Vineyards portfolio. He desires to “make sure that the family functions well” and and is particularly proud of his role in mentoring other family members at the winery. As the Wente family reflects on and celebrates its 135-year history, it’s exciting to know that its future is in good hands.

Cheers! ~ Cindy