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About Us | Philosophy
| Adopt-a-Vine | Vineyards
 Peter
and Paulette Story left the confines of Silicon Valley in 1994 for
the wine country lifestyle in Napa Valley.
Like others before them, the Storys purchased a vineyard, planted
grapes, and built a house. Grapes from the vineyard were sold to
a local winery, Merryvale in this case. Life was simple and tranquil.
The turning point came in 1999.
Peter and Paulette joined the Napa Valley Home Winemakers Association
and they attended their first meeting in the old Rutherford Grange
on Highway 29. The building, dilapidated but full of history and
charm, was famous for the important meetings it hosted as well as
its dance floor. One of the speakers at this meeting was a winemaker
of a commercial winery in the Valley. He spoke of the limitations
of working in a large winery, of producing wines to hit price points,
rather than as a creative expression. His message was simple, and
inspirational: become, and stay, a home winemaker.
His words resonated with the Storys, so they took the plunge, hiring
a consulting winemaker, to show them the ropes. The winemaker was
an excellent tutor in both the joys and complexities of winemaking.
But after the 2000 and 2001 harvests it became clear that the Storys
owned a special vineyard. Experienced winemakers at commercial wineries
marveled at the wines it produced: deep in color, with bold flavors
and layered complexity.
Peter and Paulette pondered becoming a commercial winery, but they
were put off by its creative limitations. And they wanted to help
wine lovers establish a more direct, emotional connection with the
setting than a winery would traditionally offer. This is, afterall,
what attracted them to Napa Valley in the first place. The wine
country experience was just as meaningful as the wine. They wanted
to share the experience, and their good fortune.
They arrived at an innovative approach. They would allow wine lovers
to adopt one or more of their vines, and then enjoy the fruits of
their vine, and property with a "gifted" bottle of wine.
The Storys' novel idea turns the traditional winery on its head,
and met their desire to share the experience, rather than just the
wine. The 'Adopt-a-Vine' program is unique, allowing wine lovers
to adopt one of 12,000 vines, and receive an annual "appreciation"
from their estate: either a bottle of the current year vintage Sympa
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, OR, two bottles of our Scandale Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon.
Now, 'parents' can savor this estate by adopting
a vine with their name on it, enjoying its wines, and developing
a closer connection to our estate.
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