Handcrafted wineries are becoming an increasingly rare treasure

WWMD  – What would Margaret drink?

Margaret Pearman is a certified sommelier under the Court of Master Sommeliers and is responsible for curating the award-winning wine list at Charlie’s Coastal Bistro. Here is her sipping suggestion for October:

Wine brand vs. wine made

If there’s one thing that drew me to wine, it was the stories behind each bottle. Whether it’s a tale of struggle, serendipity or a legacy passed down through generations, these stories are what make a wine memorable. Today, however, the wine industry is shifting. The next generation often isn’t there to carry on family traditions, and global corporations are stepping in and buy up wineries. The result? Fewer handcrafted wines and more mass-produced brands.

For brands, consistency is key — creating a wine that tastes the same year after year. But for winemakers, that’s never the goal. Winemakers work with nature, tasting grapes as they ripen, adapting to the challenges each season brings. The wine they produce is a reflection of that journey, with all its unpredictability. In contrast, branded wines rely on additives and tricks to maintain uniformity, making the process feel more like a science experiment than an art form.

A prime example of this transition from maker to brand is The Prisoner, a popular red blend originally crafted by winemaker Dave Phinney. Launched in the early 2000s, it became a cult classic, thanks to its bold spice and depth. Phinney built the brand to 85,000 cases before selling it to Huneeus Vintners in 2010 for $40 million. Huneeus doubled production to 170,000 cases, eventually selling The Prisoner to Constellation Brands for a staggering $285 million just six years later — a record-breaking deal in the wine world.

This fall, instead of reaching for The Prisoner, consider trying Venge Vineyards’ Scout’s Honor red blend. Made from old-vine Zinfandel, Charbono, Petite Sirah and Syrah, this wine offers rich blue fruit with silky tannins. The Venge family’s winemaking tradition stretches back to their Danish roots at the turn of the century. Nils Venge broke away from the family’s wine importing business to follow his passion for winemaking, and today his son Kirk carries on that legacy.

Scout’s Honor

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Venge Vineyards carries on a legacy of meticulous winemaking, crafting each vintage to capture the unique essence of its growing season. Their Scout’s Honor blend is an ideal choice for October, offering bold, comforting flavors that complement pleasant evenings and hearty seasonal dishes perfectly.