California’s history as a grape growing and wine making region goes back more than three centuries. Spanish friars established missions here with small vineyards. Eventually, as the 19th century came to a close, European immigrants were forging a growing vinous resource. Prohibition crumbled this promising industry, but its rebirth began by 1960 and rapidly accelerated as this region was recognized as the nation’s first to challenge the quality of European imports.

Currently, Mitchell Wines offers selectively chosen bottlings from Napa, Sonoma, El Dorado and Central Valley, with emphasis upon both quality and price value. Included are superb examples of Zinfandel, the rich, red varietal exclusive to California. Our inventory also includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, red blends and rosé.

DUNNIGAN HILLS
Matchbook
Why Matchbook? As a farm kid growing up in the late 1950´s and early 1960´s John Giguiere was a confirmed pyromaniac starting various things on fire such as his father´s wheat field. At one point, fearing total ruin from his kids burning him out of the house and farm, his father took them to the city jail for an hour stay to impress upon his brother and him the futility of their fascination with fire. John and his brother answered at a later date by graduating from random fires to the launching of rockets which often blew up at some stage of the it´s journey resulting in more random fires and a call to the local fire department for help. They eventually grew out of this fascination with the "Matchbook" but still have fond memories of the power they possessed. Learn more about Matchbook Winery here.
 
LAKE COUNTY
Shannon Ridge
In 1995, Clay Shannon and his wife, Margarita, purchased a mountain property in the High Valley appellation in Lake County, 35 miles north of Napa. Since then, they have been committed to building the reputation of Lake County and devoted to improving the community. They began planting vineyards along the steep volcanic ridges on their property and now have 420 acres of prime vineyards on the ranch. Shannon Ridge released its first wines in 2004. Wine Business Monthly named Shannon Ridge one of the hottest new wine brands in 2006. In June 2007, Shannon Ridge Winery opened its renovated tasting room facility in a historic one room school house in on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks. Adjacent to the tasting room, the winery also completed the construction of a demonstration “vinegarden” and picnic table, which allows visitors to relax in a park-like setting while enjoying the Shannon Ridge wines. The winery currently makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier, all from the Lake County AVA.

MENDICINO COUNTY
Sawbuck
When owners John and Lane Giguiere started their first winery in 1983 they were young and enthusiastic with dreams much bigger than their bank account. The first years were financed by credit cards and hope until they felt like they were down to their last Sawbuck before R.H. Phillips and Toasted Head became wine brands Sawbuck wines are made from grapes grown in the northern edge of the California wine country: Mendocino and Yolo Counties. Both are unique growing regions that are left of center of the mainstream. Often overlooked they offer wines of incredible quality at a value price.

NAPA VALLEY
Cameron Hughes
Over the past 10 years, Cameron Hughes has built a reputation for providing consumers with great wine values through his unique approach to the market. His award winning Lot Series wines are produced in limited quantities by some of the best vineyards and wineries in the world. These wines have been awarded gold medals at wine competitions across the country and have caught the attention of major publications like The Wall Street Journal and Cameron Hughes was recently named #1 Hot Brand by Wine Business Monthly.

While sourcing top quality wines all over the world, California has always been the physical and spiritual home of Cameron Hughes Wine, and is the inspiration for a new Series of Cameron Hughes Wines.

Odisea
Odisea Wine Company is a partnership between Adam Webb and Mike Kuenz. They started this company to produce wines from varietals that they're truly passionate about. They took inspiration from wines they loved from the south of France and the Iberian Peninsula. The goal is to make wines in small lots from unique vineyard sites around California and let the fruit and the vineyard speak for themselves.

Rutherford Vintners
These wines are notable for affordability in popular premium varietals. The label was originally founded in 1972. Grapes are sourced from a variety of vineyards, all within the Napa Valley appellation. The ‘03 Cabernet has a ripe, soft finish. The Merlot has a firm texture with complex spice and berry flavors.

Von Strasser
Rudy and Rita von Strasser launched a classic Napa winery resource in 1990 following Rudy’s internship at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild as the first American to receive that honor from this prestigious French resource. Von Strasser’s hilltop vineyard backs up to the famous Diamond Creek Estate Vineyards at the top of Napa’s Diamond Mountain. Von Strasser has released three different wines: a Diamond Mountain designate sourced from several different properties on Diamond Mountain, an Estate wine entirely from von Strasser’s Estate Vineyards, and the Sori Bricco Vineyard designate, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot from the forty year old Sori Bricco Vineyard. These are highly allocated every year.

PASO ROBLES
Villa San Juliette
Villa San Juliette is a beautiful 168 acre vineyard nestled in the Pleasant Valley area of San Miguel, just north of Paso Robles California. May of 2008 the first Estate grown bottling was made. We have released five wines under the Villa San-Juliette Label. The wines have been very well received.

SONOMA COUNTY
Carol Shelton
Carol is winemaker and co-owner of this producer, and lays claim to the title of most awarded winemaker in America. As winemaker at Windsor Vineyards, her plaudits include Bon Appetit magazine’s Winemaker of the year in 1993 — the same title was awarded by syndicated columnist Jerry Mead in 1996 and by Los Angeles Times wine writer Dan Berger in 1999. Her California State Fair “best” awards include Pinot Noir and Merlot in ’96 and Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000.

Carol left Windsor to pursue her passion for great Zinfandels. She accesses fruit from carefully selected vineyards based upon her experience with grapes from all over California.

Hook and Ladder
In 1970, San Francisco firefighter Cecil De Loach and his wife Christine staked their claim in the wine grape business by purchasing 24 acres of old-vine Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. In the early seventies, the De Loaches decided to acquire additional vineyard land. For several years they watched others make notable wine from their grapes before making the decision to produce wine under the De Loach label in 1975. More than three decades later, Cecil and Christine sold that label and have continued their winemaking skills at the helm of a small family winery that employs a simple philosophy - craft exceptional wines, from the highest quality grapes, that people love to drink. They consider each step of the winemaking process an opportunity to showcase the distinctive flavors contained within their carefully cultivated grapes. Every bottle of wine is a worthy representation of the best effort from each and every person at Hook and Ladder Vineyards and Winery.

Huntington
The Huntington wines are produced from small lots of select varietal grapes from several unique vineyard sources from throughout California. Regions including the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Napa Valley and Central Coast are home to grapes that produce Huntington Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot. Huntington’s wines are created by the winemaking team of Kerry Damskey (who makes the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) and Barry Gnekow (who makes the Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot). Their combined experience and connections provide insight and flexibility to source the best fruit from top vineyards and produce various varieties and blends of small wine lots with very close attention to detail.

Lyeth
Established by Chip Lyeth in 1981, Lyeth was one of the first wineries in California to pursue the unique complexity and composition achieved by the marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon with the other major Bordeaux varieties, now known as the Meritage style. The winery continues to be known for it’s dedication to typical California varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay and also for its outstanding Meritage blend. These wines represent outstanding value across the board.

Nalle
This Dry Creek Valley winery was established in 1984. Doug Nalle is one of the true pioneers of artisanal California Zin producers, and a madman. Reaching deep into the terrior of the prestigious Dry Creek Valley, Doug consistently produces a totally different Zin: one that is meant to be a table wine and not an ultra-hot, alcoholic, fruit bomb. Perhaps the most food friendly Zin on the planet, these are always highly allocated, extraordinarily structured Zinfandels.

White Oak
Founder Bill Myers now owns 750 acres of prime vineyard property divided between the Napa, Alexander and Russian River Valleys. Roughly 10% of this fruit is used in White Oak wines with the balance being sold to other well known prestige wineries.The Cabernet Sauvignon is mellowed with 15% Merlot and spiced with 2% Cabernet Franc. The White Oak wines consistently score more highly than other California varietals costing several times more.

Jessie’s Grove
Jessie’s Grove Winery is nestled between the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Lodi; the perfect environment for growing premium wine grapes. Lodi enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm days, cool nights, and a soft bay delta breeze. Specializing in the rich, hearty Zinfandel for which Lodi has become famous, the winery remains as the ranch was in the 1800s. The vines flourish in the rich soil, and some of the original Zinfandel vines planted by Jessie in the 1890s are still producing. Mitchell Wines offers the whimsical Earth, Zin, and Fire Zinfandel.

SIERRA FOOTHILLS SOUTHERN
Montpellier
A pair of historic California wine persona, Robert Mondavi and Fred Franzia, joint ventured this label in the early ‘80s to vinify Central Valley grapes into very affordable varietal labels. These are easy drinking bottlings at price points that encourage retailer specials and provide solid ‘house’ wines for the restaurant and bar trade.

Newell Vineyards
This family owned and operated artisanal winery is located in the hills of Southern Monterey County. Manisse Newell, one of the founders, was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. The altitude of their unique property offers great ripening heat during the days and cool coastal air at night. The Chardonnay is sourced from a tiny half acre parcel and is a brilliant dry white with oak nuances adding structure and texture. Newell also produces an estate Petite Sirah, an estate Cabernet, and an Estate Cabernet Franc. The red wines have tremendous depth and intensity. Despite being a relatively new producer, the wines have received a number of awards and accolades.