Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/746412
68 / the tasting panel / november 2016 After 40 years of experimentation, the two sources formed the basis of what is now called the Wente Clone of Chardonnay. With the continued success of the clone and fanfare from the media, the plantings of Chardonnay in California increased from 2,700 acres in 1970 to 45,000 acres in 1988. Today, there are almost 100,000 acres of the varietal planted in the state—nearly 80 percent of which is either Wente Clone 4 or special variations of its genetic cousins, including clones 5, 17, 72, 97 and the Hyde-Wente selection. During that period, Ernest and his brother Herman would go on to establish a reputation as one of the top producers of fine wines in America—including the family's release of a series of the nation's first varietally labeled bottles of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon in 1933, long before the term "fighting varietals" became en vogue. The Journey Continues Today, the fourth generation of the family is led by siblings Carolyn, Philip and Eric Wente. As the first female CEO of the company, Carolyn Wente has gone on to lead the charge of the expansion and growth of the Wente Family Estates portfolio, which now includes the brands Wente Vineyards, Murrieta's Well, Hayes Ranch, entwine and Double Decker. For wine culture, she also played a major role in establish- ing California wine country lifestyle by launching the Visitors Center and The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards in 1986, and The Concerts at Wente Vineyards, an annual series that attracts top music performers to the valley. After graduating from U.C. Davis in 1975, Carolyn's brother Philip took over the role as head of operations for the expansion and redevelopment of the Wente family properties. A few years later, he collaborated with Concannon Vineyards and other local winegrowers to make Livermore Valley an official AVA in 1982. And in 1990, Philip teamed up with South American winemaker Sergio Traverso to purchase and preserve the historic Murrieta's Well Estate Vineyard and Winery, where the original cuttings from Château d'Yquem and Château Margaux were planted in the 1880s. As new estate vineyards came online in the 1980s, Philip and Carolyn's brother Eric led the global expansion of Wente Family Estates' brands, which are now represented in 70 countries around the world. As current Chairman of the Board of Directors for WFE, Eric currently oversees the family's operations, which include estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco, a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, an award-winning restaurant, and a sustainably-certified cattle ranch. In addition to providing guidance and financial support for the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco wine commissions, Carolyn, Philip and Eric have each served as President of the California Wine Institute, the largest political policy and wine advocacy organization in the state, which their family helped start more than 80 years ago. While building exciting new estate brands and preserving the legacy of the fam- ily, the strategic decisions, innovations and accomplishments made by these three siblings have opened the doors for new possibilities created by the fifth generation as well. The Next Generation Today, the leader of this next generation is Karl Wente, son of Eric Wente and his wife Arel. Although he worked summers at Wente Vineyards when he was young, Karl's real journey to becoming the winemaker didn't start until he enrolled in the viticulture and enology programs at U.C. Davis, after completing his degree in chemical engineering at Stanford University. It was during this informative period that Karl teamed up with his uncle Philip COVER STORY