Kirk Venge was raised in a winemaking family in Rutherford, California. His talents and skillsets were well earned and part of his genetics as his father Nils achieved winemaking fame at Groth Vineyards and Saddleback Cellars. In 1998, Kirk earned a degree viticulture and enology from the University of California, Davis. By 2008, he would become owner and winemaker of Venge Estate Vineyards and Winery, now located to Calistoga, Napa Valley.

There are 800 acres of Richard Dinner Vineyards located on Sonoma Mountain at an elevation of 2400 feet. It is fermented with 100% native yeasts and aged for 15 months in 45% New French Oak barrels. The wine presents with a glowing medium golden hue, hinting at its richness. The aromatics are alluring, with a symphony of ripe stone fruits and exotic garden flowers. The satiny mid-palate is broad and textured, unveiling layers of yellow plums, Golden Delicious apples and candied citrus fruits layered with pineapple cream and honeycomb. A backbone of freshness cuts through the richness, lending a remarkable balance to the wine’s full-bodied profile. The finish is pure and unending. This is a very sexy bottling that will be hard to put down until the bottle is finished.

By W Peter Hoyne