Wente
Wente Winery was founded by C. H. Wente in the heart of the Livermore Valley, CA in 1883. A first-generation immigrant from Germany, Wente learned about winemaking from his vineyard experience at Charles Krug. Wente purchased his first 48 acres of Wente Vineyards in Livermore Valley with the belief that the warm days, cool nights and gravelly soils would be ideal for growing grapes. Wente Winery now draws from nearly 3,000 acres of estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to produce their portfolio of Wente wines. Now on its fifth generation, Wente is recognized as being the oldest continuously operating, family-owned winery in California according to our Wente wine reviews. They were also the winners of the American Winery of the Year Award at the 2011 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards. To see which of their wines is right for you check out our Wente wine ratings below.
Wente 2002 Vineyard Selection Sauvignon Blanc (Livermore Valley)
- Best Buy
- $9
One of the drier whites recently, as tart as biting into a fresh grapefruit. Cleanses the palate and is refreshing in its own right.
— S.H.
(10/1/2005)
Wente 2004 Crane Ridge Merlot (Livermore Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $18
This Merlot seems a bit lean, with herbal notes on the nose that give the wine’s chocolaty richness a hint of carob instead. Dark cherries and vanilla pick up on that herbal note in the mouth, with the vanilla intensifying on the finish. Drink now.
— W.E.
(8/1/2008)
Wente 2001 Merlot
- $12
There are plenty of plummy, blackberry and black cherry flavors and it’s quite dry, with soft, east tannins and a pinch of tight acidity. Turns a bit thin on the finish. A nice quaffer.
— S.H.
(2/1/2004)
Wente 2007 Riva Ranch Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco)
- $18
Pretty oaky. If you can get past the smoky caramel and butterscotch you’ll find a soft, ripe wine with pineapple, pear and apple flavors that finish a bit sugary sweet.
— S.H.
(11/15/2008)
Wente 1996 Reliz Creek Reseve Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco)
- $15
Positive funk, in the best Pinot sense, on the nose. Light, with classic Pinot sour-cherry and raspberry flavors, a lively mouthfeel and a tangy finish.
— W.E.
(1/1/2000)
Wente 2005 Reliz Creek Pinot Noir (Arroyo Seco)
- Online Exclusive
- $25
A silky, lightweight Pinot Noir that brings some herbal notes to its modest cherry aromas. Flavors are sweetly fruity, combining cherry and plum with hints of brown sugar before an abbreviated finish.
— W.E.
(8/1/2008)
Wente 2010 Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $15
This is a smooth, straightforward Cabernet Sauvignon, that’s well-priced, but textbook in its berry, spice and herbal flavors and aromas. A fantastic everyday wine.
— V.B.
(7/1/2013)
Wente 2000 Charles Wetmore Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Livermore Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $27
Wente’s top offering is rather thin and herbal, and the oak overlay does little to help. There are some modest blackberry and cherry flavors, but the absence of fruit leaves the astringent tannins and alcohol front and center.
— S.H.
(3/1/2004)
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