Joli-Laide is a natural-leaning California project founded by winemaker Scott Schultz in the 2010s. Based in Sonoma, the winery focuses on minimal-intervention wines made from unconventional varieties like Trousseau, Valdiguié, and Gamay. The wines are fresh, vibrant, and sommelier-driven in appeal.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded in 1973 in St. Helena and is one of Napa Valley’s foundational modern estates. The winery made history with the launch of Insignia in 1974 — one of Napa’s first proprietary Bordeaux-style blends. Today, under the Phelps family legacy, the wines remain benchmarks for structured yet plush Napa Cabernet, alongside cooler-climate Pinot Noir from their Freestone estate.
Keplinger Wines is the personal project of winemaker Helen Keplinger, launched in 2004 after her work with cult Rhône producer Saxum. Based in Napa but sourcing fruit from across California, the winery focuses heavily on Syrah and Grenache-driven blends. The wines are powerful yet aromatic, blending Rhône inspiration with California intensity.
Kongsgaard Wine was founded in 1996 by John Kongsgaard in Napa Valley. The winery is best known for its powerful, barrel-fermented Chardonnay, often compared to grand cru white Burgundy. Produced in extremely limited quantities, the wines are cult favorites among collectors and sommeliers.
Krupp Brothers was founded by the Krupp family in the late 1990s, farming the Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak — one of Napa’s most significant mountain vineyard sites. The estate supplies fruit to numerous cult producers while also bottling its own wines. Their house style emphasizes mountain structure, dark fruit, and age-worthy tannins.
Long Meadow Ranch was founded in 1989 and farms vineyards across Napa Valley, Anderson Valley, and Sonoma Coast. The estate is committed to organic farming and diversified agriculture. Their wines emphasize balance, food-friendliness, and estate-driven identity.
Luscher-Ballard is a small, family-run Napa Valley winery founded in 2005 by the Luscher and Ballard families. The estate focuses on Bordeaux varieties grown on Spring Mountain District vineyards. Their wines highlight mountain freshness and structure, offering a more restrained expression of Napa Cabernet.