The #14 Super Premium California Brand in the US Continues its Growth Trajectory Among Consumers and in the Media
October 29, 2025 (Livermore, CA) — Wente Family Vineyards, America’s longest continuously operated family-owned winery, is proud to announce some of the most significant accolades in its 142-year history amid an exciting period of growth for the portfolio. As the number 14 super premium California wine brand in the United States, Wente Family Vineyards finds itself outpacing current category trends, with volumes increased by 5.8% and sales up 3.1% versus last year.
This success coincides with a series of meaningful critical endorsements that were announced in the last month. Notably, Wine Enthusiast published a 98-point score for Wente Family Vineyards’ 2020 nth DEGREE Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $120) – the highest critical score since the winery’s founding in 1883. The 2022 nth DEGREE Merlot (SRP $95) received a 95-point score and landed at #46 on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Cellar Selection Wines for 2025.
Not to be outdone, the 2022 Baily Hill Pinot Noir (SRP $20) proved that even the label’s more value-driven wines can overdeliver, earning the #19 spot on Wine Enthusiast’s annual Top 100 Best Buy list, celebrating the year’s top-rated wines priced $20 and under. Launched in May of 2024, Baily Hill quickly distinguished itself as a standout Pinot Noir, capturing the terroir essence of California’s cool-climate Central Coast.
These accolades follow the Livermore Valley winery’s 2024 achievement, when two of its wines were featured on the end of year Top 100 lists for both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines – an exciting accomplishment for any winery. Those wines were the 2022 Morning Fog Chardonnay and the 2021 Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively.
“We are honored by the new accolades and recognition,” said Aly Wente, Fifth Generation Winegrower and Senior Vice President. “Our family’s commitment is to always overdeliver on quality and value, and our recent trends in the market prove this family promise is resonating with consumers at a significant moment in the wine industry. The acknowledgement and endorsement of those efforts from one of the most respected wine publications in the world even further validates that success.”
*Data source: IRI – Total US, Multi Outlet + Convenience, Domestic, Super Premium Brands (L52 Weeks 9/28/25)
About Wente Family Vineyards
Founded in 1883, Wente Family Vineyards has been celebrated for its industry wide contributions to innovation as the longest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country, now owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, with women leading the charge from grape to glass. The winery draws from certified sustainable estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations to create an outstanding array of fine wines distributed in all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide.
In 2010, it joined the top 10% of California wineries that meet all three tiers within the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing codes and designation for both their estate vineyards and winery. In April 2022, the winery won the Wine Institute’s California Green Medal Leader Award. This award is given to one winery each year and recognizing leadership in sustainable practices that span both its vineyards and winery as well as the estate’s socially responsible initiatives that benefit its employees and greater community.
Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Family Vineyards – Wente Family Estates’ flagship estate label – is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, food and wine experiences, outdoor wine & music events, unparalleled wedding venues and The Course at Wente Vineyards, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman. For more information, visit wentevineyards.com.
