140th Anniversary & Sweepstakes

As America’s longest continuously family-owned and operated winery, we at Wente Vineyards are beyond proud to celebrate 140 years in business. Since inception, our family has played a significant role in shaping California’s wine industry, establishing a legacy rooted in hard work and a passion for winemaking, sustainability and innovation.

We want to share the excitement around this major milestone, which is why we’re offering a few special experiences here in the Livermore Valley, in the hopes that we can celebrate with our biggest Wente Vineyards fans:

140^th Sweepstakes Giveaway – Win a Trip for Two to Wine Country

Envisioning a once in -a-lifetime-opportunity for fans and wine enthusiasts to celebrate the milestone alongside the family, Wente Vineyards has launched an exclusive sweepstakes giveaway, offering lucky winners the chance to win an unforgettable trip to our iconic winery. The sweepstakes package includes a three-night stay for two, complete with round-trip airfare, luxurious hotel accommodations, sumptuous meals, captivating tours, and exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences hosted by the Wente family. The giveaway will be valid now through December 2023, and wine enthusiasts can enter by visiting: WenteVineyards.com/sweepstakes.

140^th Anniversary Harvest Dinner

On Saturday, September 9^th, we’re thrilled to invite you to partake in an extraordinary celebration of our milestone anniversary with a scenic harvest dinner amidst our beautiful vineyards. Surrounded by olive groves, vines, and the entire Wente family, this authentic experience pays homage to our rich California wine heritage. The event will feature a delightful seasonal wine country menu, expertly paired with exclusive wines from the Wente Vineyards portfolio. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to indulge in an evening of culinary delights and fine wines. Tickets for this special event are available for $275 per person and can be purchased at WenteVineyards.com/harvest-dinner.

Innovation has always been at the heart of everything we do. Since 1912, when Ernest Wente introduced Chardonnay to America, we’ve been known as America’s “First Family of Chardonnay.” Today, 75% of all California Chardonnay stems from that first planting at our property. Perhaps less well known, we also played a pivotal role in preserving domestic Sauvignon Blanc. During the 1880s, cuttings from Bordeaux’s famed Château d’Yquem were planted nearby and – despite the onset of Prohibition – these premium vines were shared with us to plant here at Wente Vineyards, ensuring the Sauvignon Blanc’s survival through that challenging period for the wine industry.

Now managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, we uphold a strong commitment to sustainability, and were among the first to be certified as a sustainable vineyard and winery by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The fifth generation continues to push the boundaries in sustainability, which is why we received the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award in 2022. This prestigious accolade acknowledges our leadership in ethical practices, spanning vineyards, winery operations, and socially responsible initiatives that benefit our colleagues as well as the local community.

Join us in raising a glass to 140 years of innovation, commitment, and unforgettable wine experiences. Cheers to the next 140 and well beyond!