The Herzog family and our winemaking team believe that the vineyard is the cornerstone of the entire wine production process. According to Herzog’s Director of Winemaking, David Galzignato, a winemaker’s true value lies in their ability to manage grape cultivation and accurately determine the optimal harvest time, or “calling the pick” as it’s termed in the winemaking parlance. Former Herzog winemaker Joe Hurliman famously said, “You can’t make great wine without great grapes.” This philosophy underpins the Herzog family’s dedication to selecting and managing their vineyards meticulously.

All the vineyards supplying grapes to Herzog Wine Cellars are located exclusively in California. The Herzog family owns vineyards in many of the state’s most prestigious wine regions, including Napa, Lake County, and Clarksburg. They also have controlling interests in parcels of land within vineyards in Sonoma, Paso Robles, Lodi, and more. Occasionally, the family will purchase grapes from a vineyard they do not control if something extraordinary and exclusive becomes available, such as the 2006 Generation 8 from the To Kalon vineyard or the recent Yesod wines from Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder.

Each vineyard and region possess unique characteristics. Some vineyards benefit from higher elevations, providing more sun exposure throughout the day, while others experience significant temperature swings from day to night. Coastal vineyards might receive cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean or inland bays, whereas others bask in intense heat. Even within a single vineyard, identical grapes grown on different sides can produce remarkably distinct wines. Each region also has its signature grape varieties, like Napa’s big, fruit-forward Cabernets, Sonoma’s buttery Chardonnay, or Lodi’s exceptional Zinfandel.

In recent years, the Herzog family and David Galzignato have modernized many vineyards with state-of-the-art systems, enabling remote monitoring of temperature and watering levels. They have also cultivated strong relationships with growers and vineyard managers to ensure that each vine receives optimal care.

The vineyard is the genesis of every wine, and Herzog Wine Cellars takes immense pride in their vineyards, the meticulous care they receive, and the exceptional grapes they produce.