Wine Soundtrack - USA

Mangels Vineyards is dedicated to making premium wines from selected varietals grown in the Suisun Valley. We strive for quality and enhancing the characteristics of each varietal when producing our small lots. The Mangels family is continuing the tradition of winemaking in the Suisun Valley started by their great grandfather over 100 years ago.
Louis Mangels arrived in New York City in 1866 with his parents. At 14 years of age he had just emigrated from Germany and immediately left for the West Coast, by way of Panama. There was a distant connection to the Spreckles, another German family that was already experiencing financial success in San Francisco. They arrived on June 22, 1866.
During the next ten years, through the Spreckles connection, Louis learned to be a cooper. He also studied and saved enough money to buy 240 acres of land in 1876. He planted grape vines. By the following year, Claus Mangels was born to the Louis Mangels family. Thirteen years later, in 1889, Louis expanded his operation when he purchased the inventory of the Schultz Brothers Winery. He continued working the ranch; and by 1893, Louis Mangels decided that it was time to build his first wine cellar. Solano Winery went on to become one of the largest producing wineries in the state of California.
By 1906, the Mangels winery was producing 500,000 gallons of wine a year. Just the year before, Louis's son Claus married Celia Rohwer. The family then took another interesting road to expansion. In 1910, Louis Mangels brought his two oldest sons into a business partnership, naming the company L. Mangels and Sons. By 1920, Prohibition hit the United States, with L. Mangels and Sons being one of seven wineries allowed to continue to legally produce wine for the government. A lot of the tonnage was shipped to the East Coast, to large eastern markets. Within a year, Claus Mangels became sole proprietor.
When it became unprofitable to ship grapes to the East Coast, a partnership with the Colonial Grape Products Company was formed. This entity became known as the Solano Grape Products Company. By 1932, the Solano Grape Products Company was incorporated under the name of Solano Winery. After Prohibition in 1933, the government began to bond wineries. "Solano Winery" became Bonded Winery Number 42. Claus planted more vineyards and leased another 153 acres with a Bonzi Vineyard at Monticello, in Napa County. After the repeal, the Solano Winery's wine cellar was well stocked with many products, including both aged (fortified) sweet and dry wines. The building and cooperage were rented from Claus Mangels. Wine sales were brisk, especially the Solano Winery "house" brand. This led to the selection of its own name, which became "Chief Solano." Other successful brands were Cordelia, Solano, and C. R. Mangels.
In just two years, the market for the Mangels wines had spread over the nation and to foreign lands. In 1936, Claus Mangels purchased the stock formerly held by the Colonial Grape Products Company, which gave him 97 percent of the stock held in the company. One year later, Solano Winery was producing 350,000 gallons of wine a year, crushing nearly all of the grapes in Suisun Valley. By 1943, faced with the need to renovate and upgrade the winery, Claus Mangels decided to sell Solano Winery to Horace O. Lanza of Sunnyside Winery. Current production at that time was between 450,000 and 500,000 gallons of wine a year.
Horace O. Lanza was an official of the California Grape Products Company of San Francisco, and had been a business partner for six years during prohibition. With the sale, however, Claus maintained his home, vineyards, and other property. By 1950, the winery was no longer in operation. Claus passed away in 1950, and his son Lewis inherited the property. Lewis expanded the livestock operation while continuing to grow grapes for the Sebastiani Winery and Christian Brothers.
In 1973, Gary Mangels joined his father Lewis in the family ranching business. In 1988, Gary purchased land that would eventually become Mangels Vineyards. He planted his first vines in 1991. Over time Gary has learned which varieties are best suited for his location in Suisun Valley. In 2009, Gary and winemaker Gina Richmond founded Mangels Vineyards.
Presently, they are producing premium varietals from Mangels Vineyards, Suisun Valley.

We are a small winery focusing on unique vineyards and varietals across the AVA (sub-AVAs) of Lodi that represent the diversity of the region as well as, creating wines of lighter expressions and naturally balanced.
We purchased the Alpine road property in 2012 to be our home, our winery, and started the process to transform a traditionally farmed Cabernet Sauvignon to one more balanced and ecologically diverse. While our endeavors on 10 acres do not shift the AVA's, state’s, or world’s opinion, in a gentle way, we start by changing ourselves.
As mentioned, we set out to be ecologically balanced. What does that mean to us? Where possible an environmentally balanced farm plan was created to reduce our reliance on chemical fertilizers (and pest control), as well as reduce resources and lower what ends up in landfills. Each year we learn more and put into practice our stewardship ideas. We raise chickens for their eggs and as a natural pest control. We practice organic farming and don't till, instead we have cover crops of native grasses, grains, crimson clover, California poppy, and other plants that enhance the organic composition of the soil. Using a no till approach we create a habitat for beneficial insects, provide a greater carbon capture potiental, and keep dust out of the air; benefiting air quality throughout the valley.
Along with recycling and green waste programs, our aim is to minimise the winery's resource footprint. Phase one of our solar project was completed in 2017 with a 12 kW system supporting the winery’s main building. A future phase two is planned for the covered multi-use area that will add a second system, effectively doubling our solar capabilities to 24 kW, moving us from neutral-ish to a producer.
We are also exploring how to incorporate processes of organic and regenerative agricultural into our approaches found in permaculture practices, no-till farming, cover crops, food-scaping, fostering pollinators and native plants, and wildlife.

Tolenas Winery is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery committed to producing high quality wines that speak to the terrior of Suisun Valley, California. Founded by Lisa and Cliff Howard in 2015, Tolenas Winery is the next chapter of a family legacy that can be traced back to over 40 years ago.

Lisa’s family has lived in Suisun Valley since 1982. After moving to the area, her parents, ​Steve and Linda Tenbrink​, began farming and eventually started their own winery, Tenbrink Winery and Vineyards. Those early years on her parents’ farm were foundational in shaping the winemaking philosophy Lisa and Cliff would later adopt.

In 2010, 55 acres of prunes, wine grapes, and almonds went up for sale in Suisun Valley. Though Lisa and Cliff were living in Arizona at the time, they both jumped at the opportunity to leave a good life for a great life and move back to Lisa’s hometown to embark on their wine industry journey. With the help and guidance of Lisa’s family, the couple became self-taught winemakers ready to launch their own winery.

Since those early days, Lisa and Cliff have transitioned all 55 acres of their property to growing wine grapes and have expanded from producing 96 cases a year to more than 1,000 cases. Today, Lisa and Cliff are proud second-generation winemakers on a mission to produce wines as naturally as possible while maintaining the quality and regionality. They are committed to protecting the land and preserving the integrity of their wines. This includes taking a more hands-on approach and abstaining from disturbing the vines with chemicals or unnecessary additives.

The name for the winery’s label was born after Lisa found an old deed that listed the 55-acre property as Lot #38 of Rancho Tolenas, the Mexican land grant that spanned Solano and Napa Counties in the 1800s. The name is an homage to the pioneer spirit and history of the Suisun Valley. It also speaks to Lisa and Cliff’s goals of continuing to grow Tolenas Winery into a California wine industry pioneer.

Over the course of the last five years, Tolenas Winery has focused on perfecting the quality of its exclusive family of wines. This list includes premium wines like a Suisun Valley Red Blend, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and the Eclipse,​ a white pinot noir that won a gold medal at the International Women’s Wine Competition.​ In the future, the company hopes to add a sparkling wine to this list and a tasting room to the property as well.

Theorem Vineyards is nestled on the northern slope of Diamond Mountain in Calistoga, approximately 1,100 feet above sea level. In this spectacular setting, wine grapes benefit from volcanic soil, minimal fog, ample sunlight, and cooling afternoon winds. In addition to some 20 acres of planted vineyard, Theorem's home estate includes a cluster of historically significant buildings dating back to the mid 1800s and a new, state-of-the art winemaking facility. In addition to the home vineyard, Theorem owns an additional 34 acres of vineyard on Moon Mountain, just over the county line in Sonoma. From the two estate vineyards (one each in Napa and Sonoma) these high elevation specialists are crafting deeply expressive wines that authentically reflect grape/place.

Alice Warnecke Sutro is an artist, winemaker and grapegrower. She founded the wine label SUTRO in 2012 and manages all aspects of the business. She is also proud to work in agriculture for her family business: Warnecke Ranch & Vineyard, the inspiration for her wine label and where she sources premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. When she wears that hat (and boots) she is assisting her aunt, Margo Warnecke Merck, to manage the family’s 80-acre vineyard growing premium grapes for winery clients. She is deeply interested in the long-term potential of her local agricultural community and in 2019 joined the Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association Board. Despite being a busy wine entrepreneur, contributing to her family business and raising two kids, Alice continues to pursue drawing and writing. She holds a BA in Art History from Stanford University and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from California College of the Arts. She draws large scale live portraits for community projects. She shares her passion for exploring the intersection between art and wine & grapegrowing on her website. Alice is a WSET 2 certified sommelier.

Our winery was founded in 1989 by my mother, Martha Bannister. It was one of the first female owned wineries in the United States. My mom was the winemaker until 2013 when she had to retire because of complications from Lyme disease. I changed careers then to keep the family label going. I continued to make Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel, which had been my mom's favorites, but also added skin fermented Riesling, Scheurebe and a sagneé rose.
We only produce about one thousand cases per vintage, with a focus on working with unique vineyards for traditional and non-traditional varietals.

We focus on the winegrapes of Italy, for the simple reason that both our climate and our latitude are virtually indistinguishable from that of the Mediterranean. We farm Biodynamically, and make our wines completely naturally.
Our core philosophy is summed up in our mantra: "Grow what belongs here. Be patient."
We got our start over 30 years ago when we imported olive trees from an 800-year-old grove outside the walled city of Lucca, in Tuscany. We were pioneers in the revival of the California olive oil industry, and our oil is considered one of the best in the world.

In 2019 Markus and Liz Bokisch celebrated 20 years of making award winning Spanish wines at Bokisch Vineyards. Markus pioneered the planting of Spanish varieties in California by bringing over budwood from Spain and planting it in Lodi soil in 1999. Inspired by his Catalan heritage and driven by a passion for organic and sustainable farming, he became one the most prominent grape growers and authorities on Spanish grapes in all of the United States.
Markus Bokisch has also drawn attention to the diversity and uniqueness of Lodi wine country by spearheading the committee to create the 7 Lodi sub AVA’s. Bokisch Vineyards produces wine from 5 of those 7 AVA’s, continuing Markus’s passion to showcase the uniqueness of the Lodi growing regions.
In 2000 they made their first vintage of Bokisch wine and have continued to grow their Spanish wine portfolio ever since. Bokisch Vineyards is now producing 11 bottlings of 7 different Spanish varieties across 6 different vineyards. Featuring Albariño, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Monastrell, and Graciano.
Since its inception in 2000, Bokisch Vineyards has been featured in numerous wine publications including Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Sunset Magazine. In April, 2018 Bokisch Vineyards was the first American winery to win a gold medal for their Garnacha Blanca in the International Grenaches du Monde Competition held in Gandesa, Spain. In December of 2018, Markus and Bokisch Vineyards was featured in Wine Spectator, highlighting Markus’s vision for Spanish wines and wines made in Lodi. In 2014 they moved into a brand new winery facility located in the rolling hills of Lodi, and hired their winemaker Elyse Perry, giving them full control - grape to glass. For all of these reasons and more, Bokisch Vineyards has been a leading force in establishing Lodi as a destination for wine lovers. Their tasting room is located in the oak studded rolling hills of eastern Lodi and is known for the fantastic views, delicious wines, picnic areas and fire pits. Wine Club members are treated to 4 exclusive events per year which are themed to match each new wine release. Liz Bokisch uses her exquisite culinary skills to create specific recipes to pair with the wines. Bokisch Vineyards is also making hand crafted, small lot wines from other varieties under their Tizona label. Showcasing the skills of their winemaker Elyse Perry, they produce an additional 8 vineyard designated wines including Malbec, Old Vine Carignane, Syrah, and Picpoul.

Started in 2015 by husband/wife team, Jake Stover and Gina Schober, Sans Wine Co. was the first domestic producer to make single vineyard, variety and vintage specific natural wines, packaged in cans. They started with 3 canned wines and now produce 7 different single vineyard wines. They released their first bottled wine, a Mendocino Carignan, in January 2021.
All fruit is sourced from organically farmed vineyards in Lake and Mendocino counties, and Sans Wine Co. also leased a Rutherford Riesling vineyard for 3 years, and still leases a small Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. They are still the first and only producer to offer a single vineyard, organically farmed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, packaged in a can.

Unti Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in Mediterranean style wines with vineyard personality. The winery, established in 1997, produces small lots of estate grown Barbera, Grenache, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel. We also produce a dry Rose from Grenache and Mourvedre and a handful of white wines: Vermentino, Fiano, and Grenache Blanc. The winemaking involves using traditional methods which enhance and support an ability to make wines with a sense of place. We use artisan winemaking methods to enhance and support our ability to make wines with a sense of place, such as fermenting and aging 45 to 60 different small batches of wine each year, using whole clusters in our Rhone varietal ferments, using a variety of fermenting and aging vessels including stainless steel, concrete tanks, large French oak ovals and small French oak barrels.

We have 60 acres of vineyards here in Dry Creek Valley, which is the sole source for all our wines. We approach our vineyards and winemaking as wine enthusiasts, particularly the wines from Italy, Southern France and Spain. California, and specifically Dry Creek Valley has a similar climate the above regions. This explains for why we have chosen to cultivate noble wine grapes, native to these Mediterranean regions contrary to many Dry Creek Wineries. One man’s crazy is another one’s sanity.