USA - California

In shorts, sweaty and covered in dust, David Abreu trudges around his vineyards, because no one knows better than him that wine is made in the vineyard and not in the cellar. He works tirelessly as a vineyard manager for the most renowned wineries in the Napa Valley and still has time to press a few bottles for himself and his friends from the fruit of his best vineyards. The result: a wonderful elixir.

Jim Binns should be no stranger to many wine lovers, as he has been Manfred Krankl's (Sine Qua Non) right-hand man for over ten years. Andremily is now his own, still small winery, named after his two children Andrew and Emily. The grapes come partly from the Larner family vineyard in Ballard Canyon (Solvang) and partly from White Hawk Vineyard in Cat Canyon (Los Alamos). Here he interprets the Syrah in his own personal way and lets the terroir of his homeland speak for itself.

Mark Aubert now concentrates entirely on his own extremely delicate wines, albeit in minimal quantities. His Chardonnays, his Pinot Noir and soon a Cabernet can hold their own with their best European brethren. The whites have a mineral and spicy aroma, flowing creamily over the palate, where they linger endlessly before finally fading away with a salty note.

Russell Bevan is a two-meter-long, lovable and highly talented warhorse. I met him many years ago and was fascinated by his spirit and the energy he brings to his Bevan Cellars winery. Russell's wines are powerful Californians, dark in color and super expressive. These are not wines for sissies, a good old friend once told me. And somehow he was right! Russell put's the pedal to the metal!

Bryant Family first caught our attention many, many years ago. We first read about these great wines and in December 1994, at NYC's Soho Kitchen & Bar, then a restaurant with 100 wines by the glass, we first tasted and then enjoyed a bottle of the first 1992 from Bryant Estate! And on our next visit we drank the 1993 and a few months later the 1994 with great pleasure. These first-class Californian wines grow on the shores of Lake Hennessy in Napa Valley and have been among the very best in the valley since the 1993 vintage. Bettina Bryant has roots in Switzerland and it is therefore a great personal pleasure for her to give us a few bottles from the Bryant Estate every year for our best customers!

Things are happening in Napa Valley! Caterwaul Wines is one of the most promising adventures on the West Coast, for which the two greats Matt Hardin and Thomas Brown have joined forces. Matt, born and raised in Napa Valley, is the "farmer" in the team and Thomas is the cellar man. Together they have an incredible network in the valley, which enables them alone to get hold of grapes of above-average quality without having to pay a fortune for them - one hand washes the other. It's also nice that the two of them share their great wines with us without it tearing too big a hole in our wallets!

Together with wine luminary David Abreu, the gifted Ann Colgin produces wines that are among the most sought-after in the world. Her winery, Colgin Cellars, sits majestically enthroned high above the Napa Valley, surrounded by the most wonderful vineyards, where the precious fruit for her diverse wines grows. The Cariad - a Bordeaux blend - is a hybrid and yet a true Californian with character, personality and plenty of terroir.

I would describe DuMol, which was founded with a vision in 1996 and is run by Andy Smith, the man for the rough stuff, now a partner, who has both feet firmly on the dusty ground of the Russin Rivers Valley in summer, as an affair of the heart. Wine is grown, not made, and DuMol is well aware of this, even though Andy Smith's job title is "winemaker. A great deal of sensitivity and foresight is applied here in th cellar, deliberately avoiding extreme extractions and always using little new wood in order to give the terroir its space. It is therefore no coincidence that DuMol's wines feel as if they actually grow in a cool climate, as they are elegant and fresh. A successful surprise!

These wines are praised to the skies by all the major critics. And yes, they deserve these global accolades! You read that right: Krankl. And you also combined it right! Nikolas is Manfred Krankl's (Sine Qua Non) son. If you believe that his wines are a simple copy of the SQN of the senior, then you are on the wrong track. Fingers Crossed has its own identity; the wines are constructed quite differently, have a different structure and thus a different texture. How are they different? Good question! I would say, quite casually, that they are a bit more “old world”, a bit more traditional – in the best sense of the word – without being a bit stale. On the contrary, perhaps because they are a bit more “old world”, they are almost a bit more avant-garde.

Robert Foley, known as Bob, is a celebrated winemaker in Napa Valley - including for Hourglass and Switchback Ridge! He makes two wines for his own label, the grapes for which he selects from his customers. One is the inky, delicately fragrant, well-structured Charbono from an ancient Italian grape variety. The other is his justifiably highly praised, wonderful Claret made from Cabernet Sauvignon, a small proportion of Merlot and the occasional pinch of Petit Verdot.

We don't find great wines every day either! But we recognize every single one as such! Like these here, the wines of Shae and Nigel Kinsman Eades, two Australians who set out many years ago to put the fear of God into the Napa Valley. Ok, that sounds a bit trite, but nevertheless: these two put the fabric of the valley to the test with their perfect wines. Nigel is the winemaker - I hate that expression, sorry ... Because even here in Napa Valley, the great wines grow in the vineyard and are NEVER made - and Shae, Nigel's wife, is the concertmaster. The two are the perfect team, because this is the only way to create perfect wines, wines that bask in the light of the valley without sacrificing agility; wines that have a truly athletic physique, that are chiseled, pithy and juicy.

John Kongsgaard and his son Alex are two individualists who only lend a hand to nature on their small vineyard when absolutely necessary: as brilliant winemakers, they know that the main work has to be done in the vineyard and that vinification is a process that can only be carefully accompanied at best. The result of their rigorously high quality standards are breathtaking Californian beauties made from Chardonnay, Cabernet and Syrah, which, unlike other beauties, also have inner values and profound elegance and complexity.

In August 2009, we met Paul Lato, a Polish emigrant, at a BBQ at Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria. Our first impression was that the guy talks a bit much, but is funny and a pleasure to listen to. When it comes to wine, he is inspired by impartiality and passion, the very qualities that help you move forward. In the meantime, Paul Lato's wines have improved dramatically, he tirelessly scrutinizes his every action and evaluates what he has created soberly and with vision. All this has led us to offer you these wines in small quantities. A little is better than nothing. Take the plunge!

Even when Maggie Harrison was still Manfred Krankl's left hand at Sine Qua Non - Manfred's right hand is his wife Elaine - she began making wines under her own name and the label Lillian. During her time at Sine Qua Non, Harrison got to know the best winegrowers between Paso Robles and Ventura and chose her favorites for Lillian, who still cultivate the leased vineyards according to Maggie's ideas today. Today, Maggie Harrison Lillian stands for wines that are on the more elegant side, but without lacking power and density. By the way, Lillian Syrahs are excellent for ageing. Manfred Krankl opened a 2005 Syrah for us in summer 2019, which was stunning!

Cumulus is the name of this vineyard, which the Krankls planted themselves, right next to their winery in Oak View, a good hour's drive north of Los Angeles. Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Touriga Nacional, together with Petit Manseng, nestle wonderfully gently on the relatively steeply sloping hill to the south. The soil here on the shores of Lake Casitas has a slightly reddish tinge and is therefore wonderfully mineral. However, the humus layer is not very thick, as the roots of the vines have to laboriously work their way through limestone after just thirty, forty or at most fifty centimetres. All in all, Cumulus is the vineyard that demands the most from the vines and "suffering" vines usually produce the most promising grapes. You see, another "hot spot" where nothing but great wines can grow!

Rivers Marie is Thomas Rivers Brown's home port, the basis of his work, his own estate. He and his team are considered gifted consultants for many famous wineries in the Napa Valley and are therefore much in demand and frequently on the road. A few years ago, he and his wife Genevieve began to press small quantities of Pinot Noir, their great love, from the Sonoma Coast at Rivers Marie. Now he has added three fantastic Cabernets to his range, which reflect his skills in the best possible way.

There is probably no better winemaker in the region around Paso Robles than Justin Smith, who works tirelessly not only on his own behalf, but also for other winemakers, whom he supports in word and deed. You can sense the fun he has at work on his Saxum Vineyards estate and it comes as no surprise that he makes great wines with ease. Yes, Justin Smith still sells grapes, even though he could sell much more wine than he actually makes. This makes him even more likeable and his wines even more exciting.

With Screaming Eagle, the famous question of which came first, the egg or the chicken, does not arise once again, of course: Was Screaming Eagle first or the term "Cult Wine"? I am convinced that Screaming Eagle is responsible for the fact that the term "cult wine" exists at all. Either way. What seems more important to me is that Oakville produces wines on volcanic soil that are always, regardless of vintage, among the very best the Napa Valley has to offer.

When we sing the praises of our dearest friends Elaine and Manfred Krankl, we could be accused of being biased because our judgment is all too subjective. Should the love of uncompromising and characterful wines become a criminal offense, we plead guilty. As long as this is not the case, I will never tire of raving to you about these wines that always catch me on the wrong, sentimental foot. With great dedication and expertise, the Krankls press wines at their Sine Qua Non winery year after year that delight us wine lovers when we are happy and refresh our souls when we are tired and shaken by life. Their wines are not to be missed. Sine Qua Non, loosely translated from Latin, means "indispensable" - nomen est omen!

East of Los Alamos - in California, of course - the Krankls bought a few hectares of land many years ago, whose rolling hills were just begging to be planted with vines. The climate here is ideal and the soil is just the way Manfred likes it! Sandy. The combination of the right rootstock grape with Krankl's favorite Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache and, yes, you read correctly, Graciano and Touriga Nacional results in a gene pool which, carefully planted and lovingly tended, is guaranteed to produce great wines. Once again, the Krankls have had a massive influence on California's wine world. Not only are their Graciano and Touriga Nacional two stunning wines, but it seems that other winemakers are so impressed by these two wines that they too are planting Graciano and Touriga Nacional. Are you ready for unexpected flavors? Then go for it!

Chris is a warhorse and a good old buddy, and True Believer Wines is his private fun, which he enjoys with his wife Dayna. Well, he actually does a lot of work, but it's also fun. His main job is Vineyard Manager at Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria and he is one of the best in the country. Manfred Krankl, his good friend, has already stuck his nose into his barrels and given him a tip or two ... a wine alliance!