The US is home to a thriving wine industry, with many wineries across the country producing some of the finest wines in the world. While many of these wineries are owned by large corporations, you may also have come across the term “Family Owned Wineries”. 

Who are they exactly? These are wineries that have been passed down from generation to generation. Family-owned wineries in the United States are unique as they often have a deep history and tradition that is reflected in the wines they produce. These wineries are often run by families who have been in the wine industry for decades if not centuries, and their wines are made with a level of care and attention that are harder to find in larger, more corporate wineries.

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Family-owned wineries often have a deep connection and understanding of the unique terroir of their vineyards. Many of these wineries have been in the same family for generations and this understanding allows them to produce wines that truly reflect the character of the land on which they are grown. An interesting fact to note is that nearly half of the wineries are family owned in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. 

Many of these family-owned wineries often work closely with other local businesses, such as restaurants and hotels, to promote tourism and economic growth in the region. This helps create a local economic impact that makes these wineries a valuable and cherished part of the wine world.

Join us on the journey to discover some of the most time-honored family-owned Wineries, which are also the Exhibitors at IBWSS 2023.

One such experience you can trust is Airport Ranch Wine Estates. Airport Ranch is a family-owned and operated vineyard situated in the heart of the Yakima Valley – Washington State’s oldest established AVA. 

Image: Marcus Miller; Source: Airport Ranch

From planting their first wine grapes in 1968, this Family-Owned Winery now in its Fourth Generation expanded to an 830-acre Estate Vineyard, boasting over 20 Different Grape Varietals.

Marcus Miller, President of Airport Ranch Wine Estates mentions that “The experience and knowledge gained over the years have helped us craft well-balanced wines reflecting great varietal expression and quality. We are a vertically integrated wine company, from grape to bottle, committed to growing and producing world-class wine and delivering tremendous value to our customers."

The next exhibitor you meet is Cortecchia Wines from Italy. In Castel Bolognese, their heritage is producing and selling fine wine from their vineyards which is now in its third generation.  

Image Source: Cantina Cortecchia

As their message suggests: “Authentic wines made with generations of passion, dedication, and tradition”, the family-owned winery with over 60 Years of legacy, focuses on consistently growing high-quality grapes, and keeping itself at the forefront of the latest trends in winemaking.

From New Zealand, we have the Seifried Estate New Zealand. From small beginnings in 1973, when Hermann Seifried and his New Zealand wife Agnes first planted grapes in the Moutere Valley near Nelson, this is a family business with a focus and passion for beautifully crafted wines.

Image: Founders, Hermann and Agnes; Source: Seifried

As the winery marked 40 years in 2016 since the family's first grape harvest, the company has expanded over 320 hectares of sustainably accredited Estate owned vineyards, and exports to over 25 countries around the globe. As they share their wines with wine enthusiasts around the globe, it is also home to the fabulous 'Sweet Agnes' Riesling - NZ's most-awarded dessert wine.

Do not miss the opportunity to meet these IBWSS Exhibitors who balance tradition and innovation and create must-try wines for wine enthusiasts! 

About IBWSS: 

The International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show, 2023 is an annual trade show and conference, open to trade professionals only, which takes place in San Francisco, CA. IBWSS visitors are buyers looking to meet up their demand for bulk wines, bulk spirits, private label programs, grape buying, or contract manufacturing. 

Written by Oindrila Majumdar, Beverage Trade Network.