
Wente Vineyards
Wente Vineyards is the country's longest, continuously operated family-owned winery, founded in 1883.
Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, we draw from our estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. We are recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations featuring wine tasting, dining, concert experiences, championship golf and more.

“Every single day, we strive to be better than the day before. That’s what my family instilled in me. For five generations, we’ve worked relentlessly to grow and produce great California Chardonnays. We don’t do it because we have to, we do it because we love to.”

Karl D. Wente
5th Generation Winegrower


In 1912, 2nd Generation Ernest Wente persuaded his father and founder, C.H. Wente to import Chardonnay cuttings from the vine nursery at University of Montpellier France to the Livermore Valley and hand-picked the best of the best vines. Today, over 80% of all California Chardonnay stems from the Wente Clone. In viticulture a “clone” refers to vines descended from a single plant by taking a cutting or bud; in theory, each vine grown on a clone is genetically identical to the original vine.
Today, 5th Generation winegrower Karl D. Wente continues the Wente Clone through the families legacy of Chardonnay with four different styles: Morning Fog Chardonnay, Single Vineyard Riva Ranch Chardonnay, Small Lot Eric’s Chardonnay and Nth Degree Chardonnay.
Meet Our Family
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Eric Wente
4th Generation Winegrower & Chairman of the Board
Eric Wente
4th Generation Winegrower & Chairman of the Board
During his tenure as CEO, Eric, with the support of the winery’s staff, updated Wente Vineyards winemaking practices by implementing innovative techniques and constructing state-of-the-art facilities. Under Eric’s leadership, night harvesting, wine presses situated in the vineyards, sophisticated, gentle dejuicing methods, and increased use of oak barrels for aging were all improvements incorporated into a winemaking system that combines the best of the traditional and the modern. Today, Eric remains the Chairman of the Board of Wente Family Estates. He and his wife, Arel, have two children, 5th Generation Christine and Karl whom remain active in the business.
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Phil Wente
4th Generation Winegrower & Co-Founder of Murrieta’s Well
Phil Wente
4th Generation Winegrower & Co-Founder of Murrieta’s Well
Philip is a leading advocate for the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco as winegrowing regions and is actively involved in land and planning issues in the Livermore Valley. Phil formed the Tri-Valley Conservancy, an innovative agricultural land trust that harmonizes real estate development and agricultural land preservation in Alameda County, California. The initiative was so successful that it is being used as a model in many other areas of the country. Today, Phil resides with his wife, Julie, in the Livermore Valley. His daughters, Jordan, Aly, and Niki, are all active in the Wente Family Estates business.
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Carolyn Wente
4th Generation Winegrower & Chief Executive Officer
Carolyn Wente
4th Generation Winegrower & Chief Executive Officer
Carolyn Wente is one of the driving forces behind the expansion and growth of Wente Family Estates’ portfolio of wines. Joining in the early 1980’s, Carolyn introduced the Wine Country experiences to Wente Vineyards: The Restaurant and award-winning Greg Norman golf course. Carolyn was born in the Livermore Valley and earned a degree at Stanford University. Carolyn still resides in the Livermore Valley with her husband, Buck Layton. Their son, Buck IV, is a recent college graduate and has accepted a full-time position in Texas, starting in the Fall of 2017.
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Christine Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & President of the Wente Foundation Board
Christine Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & President of the Wente Foundation Board
In 2000, Christine Wente, daughter of Eric Wente, became the first member of the fifth generation to join the family business. She has held various management roles in sales, marketing and hospitality at Wente Family Estates. She’s now on the company’s Board of Directors and she runs the Wente Foundation for Arts Education, raising money for local arts education programs. Christine also serves on the Board of the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation, planning the annual Livermore Valley Wine Auction. Christine has a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford University, as well as a Level 3 Certificate in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Christine lives in the East Bay with her husband Roland and their son and daughter.
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Karl Wente
Fifth Generation Winegrower & Chief Winemaker, COO
Karl Wente
Fifth Generation Winegrower & Chief Winemaker, COO
Karl oversees all Winemaking at Wente Family Estates. Karl joined the family business in 2001 and has lead wine innovation, started Nth Degree and helped expand the Wente Family Estates portfolios. His education includes a degree in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University and two Master’s degrees: one in Horticulture (Viticulture) and one in Food Science (Enology), from the University of California at Davis. Karl balances his strong academic background with the traditional hands-on approach of previous generations of Wente family winemakers. Karl grew up working at the winery, and expanded his experience with work at the Peter Michael Winery in Sonoma, and Brown Brothers winery in northern Victoria, Australia.
When Karl is not making wine or out in the vineyard, you can catch him playing music with his local band, practicing yoga, or reading and listening to audio books.
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Jordan Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & Project Manager, Procurement
Jordan Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & Project Manager, Procurement
Joining the business in 2015, eldest daughter of Phil Wente, Jordan, has played some critical roles in Project Management and Supply Chain. Jordan was instrumental in the recent renovation of Murrieta’s Well and in her current role she supports ongoing custom and private label projects. Additionally, Jordan serves as one of the Board Members for the Wente Foundation for Arts and Education (WFAE). Jordan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations from University of Colorado, Boulder. Jordan also holds a Masters in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University. Jordan resides in the Livermore Valley with her husband and three children, is an avid painter, loves to play tennis and golf, and aspires to travel to all the winegrowing regions in the world.
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Niki Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & Viticulture Manager
Niki Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & Viticulture Manager
Most recently joining the family business in March 2017, daughter of Phil Wente, Niki, joined our Viticulture team as a Viticulture Manager managing the teams in Livermore and Arroyo Seco, while continuing our winegrower relations programs. Niki graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Wine & Viticulture, a passion she has had since she was young. Throughout her college education, Niki interned three summers at Wente Vineyards (2 summers in Viticulture and 1 summer in Marketing) and one summer at Edna Valley Vineyards as a cellar hand.
Following her graduation, Niki immediately joined the Viticulture team at Wente Vineyards through the 2014 harvest season, lending an extra hand. She then took a job opportunity in San Francisco and later a role in Grower Relations and Viticulture at Huneeus Vintners, buying and selling grapes for multiple brands. In addition to Niki’s role as Viticulturist, you will also find her rescuing animals from the vineyards. Today, Niki resides in the Livermore Valley with her husband, Nick, and their dog, Riley. -
Aly Wente
Senior Brand Manager & Fifth Generation Winegrower
Aly Wente
Senior Brand Manager & Fifth Generation Winegrower
Aly Wente joined Wente Family Estates in July of 2019 as the Senior Brand Manager of Wente Vineyards. This position plays an important leadership role in developing and executing strategic marketing plans and activities to support both long-term and short-term goals for the Wente Vineyards brand.
Prior to joining the family business Aly held brand marketing roles at Constellation Brands, where she led strategy and development of a portfolio of their luxury brands. Most recently she managed the growth and success of Robert Mondavi Winery and Mount Veeder Winery of Napa Valley, and Champagne Palmer & Co. of Champagne, France. Prior to this, Aly honed her skills working on community outreach marketing for Suncal, a private land developer.
Aly is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from which she received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism in 2013. Having worked for Wente Vineyards as a summer marketing intern growing up, she was able to discover a fondness for marketing at a young age. Returning to the family business has always been a goal for Aly, and she’s excited to help take the Wente Vineyards brand into the future.
In 2017, Aly attained her Level 3 Advanced Certification in Wine from the prestigious Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), further demonstrating her deep commitment to and love of wine.
Aly also serves on the Wente Foundation for Arts Education Board and the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation Board. She grew up exploring all sides of the family business and thanks her father, Phil Wente, for always sharing his passion for wine and helping to foster the same love in her.
Outside of work, Aly enjoys spending time with her friends and family, most specifically her husband Nathan and their golden retriever, Chili. She has a love for Tahoe in the winter, as she is an avid snow skier, and during the summers she enjoys wakeboarding and hiking. Aly has a love for food and wine, regularly visiting new wineries with friends and cooking alongside her husband each evening.
The Love of the Journey
Winemaking and Viticulture
Meet the winemaking team
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Karl Wente
Fifth Generation Winegrower & Chief Winemaker, COO
Karl Wente
Fifth Generation Winegrower & Chief Winemaker, COO
Karl oversees all Winemaking at Wente Family Estates. Karl joined the family business in 2001 and has lead wine innovation, started Nth Degree and helped expand the Wente Family Estates portfolios. His education includes a degree in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University and two Master’s degrees: one in Horticulture (Viticulture) and one in Food Science (Enology), from the University of California at Davis. Karl balances his strong academic background with the traditional hands-on approach of previous generations of Wente family winemakers. Karl grew up working at the winery, and expanded his experience with work at the Peter Michael Winery in Sonoma, and Brown Brothers winery in northern Victoria, Australia.
When Karl is not making wine or out in the vineyard, you can catch him playing music with his local band, practicing yoga, or reading and listening to audio books.
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Andrew Lynch
Winemaker
Andrew Lynch
Winemaker
Andrew Lynch joined Wente Vineyards in 2005, and in collaboration with Karl D. Wente, is the Winemaker for the Small Lot Winery. Raised on a family farm and orchard just north of Salinas, Andrew received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in History and Education at the University of California, Davis. In his role at Wente Vineyards, he oversees experimental winemaking as well as maintaining the highest quality standards for the winemaking program. He collaborates with Karl Wente and team to ascertain the ideal strategies for the fermentation, aging and blending of the Wente Vineyards wines. He loves the ever dynamic energy of winemaking as well as the family spirit his colleagues bring to their work daily. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys relaxing with his family and camping.
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Elizabeth Kester
Winemaker
Elizabeth Kester
Winemaker
Elizabeth Kester has been making wine with Wente Vineyards since 2007. While attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo she tended to vines and made her first wine on the Cal Poly campus. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Wine and Viticulture she worked at Edna Valley Vineyards for the 2009 harvest. She then developed her palate as a Wine Specialist for BevMo by tasting wines from all over the world, but knew she wanted to have purple hands so she came to Livermore Valley to join the Wente Vineyards team in 2010. As a winemaker, Elizabeth manages the data analysis to support the winemaking team with quality information and science to help craft world class wines. Outside of the winery, she loves riding horses and even played on the Cal Poly Polo team.
Meet the viticulture team
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Julio Covarrubias
Sr. Vineyard Manager
Julio Covarrubias
Sr. Vineyard Manager
Starting his career with the Wente Family, Julio joined in January of 1974, working any needs in the vineyards and during harvest. During that time, Julio developed a passion for wine and the wine industry. Since then, Julio moved up to Vineyard Supervisor and now to Sr. Vineyard Manager partnering with his team overseeing both the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco, Monterey vineyards. Julio recently completed his 44th vintage with Wente Family Estates and he continues to share his passion with his team and those around him.
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Keith Roberts
Sr. Viticulture Manager, Arroyo Seco Monterey
Keith Roberts
Sr. Viticulture Manager, Arroyo Seco Monterey
Keith has worked for the Wente family since 1974. He was 17 when he started running the harvester and had a chance to learn all aspects of the vineyards. Keith went on to manage the equipment shop for 16 years and in that timeframe he planted his first vineyard from the bottom up in Arroyo Seco, where he is now the Sr. Vineyard Manager. Keith oversees the Viticulture Department, Support Team, special projects and all operations in the Arroyo Seco area. Keith is Chairman of the Salinas Valley Water Coalition, a group that monitors water issues and concerns in agriculture. Keith has been married to his wife, Laurinda, since 1978 and has three children and four grandchildren.
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Niki Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & Viticulture Manager
Niki Wente
5th Generation Winegrower & Viticulture Manager
Most recently joining the family business in March 2017, daughter of Phil Wente, Niki, joined our Viticulture team as a Viticulture Manager managing the teams in Livermore and Arroyo Seco, while continuing our winegrower relations programs. Niki graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Wine & Viticulture, a passion she has had since she was young. Throughout her college education, Niki interned three summers at Wente Vineyards (2 summers in Viticulture and 1 summer in Marketing) and one summer at Edna Valley Vineyards as a cellar hand.
Following her graduation, Niki immediately joined the Viticulture team at Wente Vineyards through the 2014 harvest season, lending an extra hand. She then took a job opportunity in San Francisco and later a role in Grower Relations and Viticulture at Huneeus Vintners, buying and selling grapes for multiple brands. In addition to Niki’s role as Viticulturist, you will also find her rescuing animals from the vineyards. Today, Niki resides in the Livermore Valley with her husband, Nick, and their dog, Riley.
Sustainability
Certified Sustainable
Wente Vineyards carries sustainable practices throughout the vineyards, wine growing practices and in the community.
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Living Soils
Recycled Organic Hydrolyzed Fertilizer
Living Soils
Recycled Organic Hydrolyzed Fertilizer
For more than 10 years, recycled, organic hydrolyzed fertilizer has been distributed through a drip irrigation system, eliminating the need for application by tractor. This results in less soil compaction and diesel combustion.
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Reducing Water Usage
Drip Irrigation and on-site Weather Stations
Reducing Water Usage
Drip Irrigation and on-site Weather Stations
Drip irrigation is the primary source for delivering optimal water to the vines. Data provided by on-site weather stations and using UC Davis-developed mildew pressure models, the team knows where to spray, if at all, and chooses materials that are environmentally sound.
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Using Natural Oils
Natural Oils Smother Mildew
Using Natural Oils
Natural Oils Smother Mildew
We were one of the earliest growers to work with stylet oil, a combination of natural oils that smothers mildew. Today, we experiment with combinations of natural oils such as clove, black pepper and cinnamon to control pests.
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Pest Management
Homes for Predatory Birds to Combat Pests
Pest Management
Homes for Predatory Birds to Combat Pests
Owl boxes and raptor perches are located around the property to help pest management of starlings, gophers and ground squirrels. This offers a home for predatory birds so they can manage the vertebrates that hurt the vines in a natural way.
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Fuel
Converting Waste into Fuel
Fuel
Converting Waste into Fuel
We convert kitchen waste to biodiesel fuel by recycling oils from The Restaurant, The Grill and the Catering kitchen as well as other local restaurants in the community.
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Community Involvement
Associated in the Winegrowing Community
Community Involvement
Associated in the Winegrowing Community
The 4th Generation have served on the Board of Directors at the Wine Institute as well as other community organizations including Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, the Monterey Wine Country Association Board and the Valley Care hospital board and foundation.
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The Course at Wente Vineyards
Drought Tolerant Plants and Small Habitat Restoration
The Course at Wente Vineyards
Drought Tolerant Plants and Small Habitat Restoration
In January 2010, The Course earned Audubon International Certification, which focuses on small habitat restoration projects and replanting of perennial native and drought tolerant plants.
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Land & Cattle
Providing Grass Management and Soil Fertilization
Land & Cattle
Providing Grass Management and Soil Fertilization
We manage 1,600 acres of sustainable open range land with 100 head of cattle providing grass management and soil fertilization.
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Cork Recycling
Designated Cork-Recycle Drop Offs
Cork Recycling
Designated Cork-Recycle Drop Offs
All four tasting rooms are designated drop-off spots for Cork ReHarvest, a program focused on collecting and recycling use and surplus corks from wineries.
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Organic Olive Grove
Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
Organic Olive Grove
Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
Century Olive Oil trees have been producing Certified Sustainable oil, which come from an extensive tree-planting program, a testament to the Wente family’s tradition of commitment to sustainable agriculture.