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Latah Creek Wine Cellars

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Latah Creek Wine Cellars (click for video) is a family-owned Washington winery that has quietly built one of the most consistent and approachable portfolios in the region since its founding in 1982. At a time when Washington wine was still emerging, founders Mike and Ellena Conway set out to craft wines rooted in balance, complexity, and everyday enjoyment—and more than four decades later, that philosophy still defines every bottle they produce.

Today, Latah Creek remains a true family operation, with second-generation winemaker Natalie Conway carrying the tradition forward while introducing fresh ideas.

While the winery is widely recognized for its Merlot, its most popular offerings lean toward highly drinkable, fruit-forward wines like Pinot Gris, Riesling, and the locally beloved Huckleberry d’Latah. The portfolio spans dry and sweet styles, making it especially appealing to both traditional wine drinkers and those newer to wine or exploring fruit-driven profiles.

Beyond the wines themselves, Latah Creek stands out for its welcoming, unpretentious approach. Their goal has always been simple: create wines that pair beautifully with food, but are just as enjoyable on their own—and keep them priced so they can be part of everyday life, not just special occasions.

Latah Creek represents exactly what makes smaller, family-run wineries worth discovering: consistency, character, and wines designed to be enjoyed, not overthought.

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Montezuma Winery

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

In 1999, the Martins took their first official step into beverage production with Martin’s Honey Farm & Meadery in Sterling, New York. Operating out of their garage, they produced honey alongside fruit wines and meads. Interest grew quickly, and within just a few years, it became clear that the business had outgrown its original home.

That turning point came in 2001 with the opening of Montezuma Winery in Seneca Falls, a move that would define the family’s future. Located near the northern end of Cayuga Lake in the celebrated Finger Lakes wine region, the winery became the heart of the Martin family’s operations. Moving into the Finger Lakes also marked an important evolution in winemaking. In addition to fruit and honey wines, the Martins began partnering with local growers to work with vinifera, native, and hybrid grape varieties. Montezuma Winery quickly earned a reputation for being a place where experimentation and tradition comfortably coexist.

As Montezuma Winery flourished, the family continued to explore new ideas. In 2007, they launched Hidden Marsh Distillery, becoming early advocates for craft distilling in New York State. At the time, only a handful of distilleries operated statewide, and the Martins actively supported legislative changes that made small-scale distilling possible. After the laws changed, they acquired a custom-built German pot still—one of the first in the Finger Lakes—and expanded their offerings to include spirits.

Growth continued to follow the family’s personal connections to place. In 2010, they opened a Montezuma Winery tasting room in Old Forge, inspired by generations of family trips to the Adirondacks through Ginny Martin’s family. In 2013, they introduced Idol Ridge Winery, perched high above Seneca Lake with sweeping views and a lodge-style tasting room handcrafted by Ed Martin. Idol Ridge brought a new brand and a distinct expression of grape wines to complement Montezuma’s lineup.

In the years that followed, the Martins added distilleries, new tasting rooms, and their first estate vineyard, while continuing to innovate and grow, but Montezuma Winery in Seneca Falls has remained the foundation—the place where a beekeeping family became a defining part of the Finger Lakes wine region.

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Maydelle Country Wines

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Using products available from Texas soil, each batch of fruit wine here at Maydelle is kept small. Most of our wines are produced in less than 300-gallon batches, keeping creation on the small scale, allowing what really matters to shine through: the fruit.

Instead of stomping on the same old grapes, we go out on a limb, creating wines that are pleasant to drink and downright FUN.

Maydelle wines made from lemon and lime have become our trademark, but you’d be hard pressed to find a fruit we don’t like. We also produce blackberry, elderberry, peach, and many more fruit and specialty wines.

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Fabbioli Cellars

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Fabbioli Cellars, owned by Doug Fabbioli and Colleen Berg, is the result of a dream more than 30 years in the making. After moving to California in 1987 with hopes of finding land to grow grapes, the couple discovered that turning that dream into reality was more challenging than expected. In 1997, they returned to the East Coast, bringing with them valuable knowledge, skills, and confidence gained from their time out West.

In early 2000, Colleen discovered a 25-acre parcel in Lucketts, just north of Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia. The land proved ideal. By 2001, they began planting vineyards and building their home, focusing primarily on Merlot, with Petit Verdot for blending.

Doug’s passion for winemaking traces back to his grandfather, Leone Fabbioli, who crafted wine in his basement in the 1940s and ’50s with meticulous care and respect for quality fruit. Today, Doug carries on those traditions, combining hands-on attention with modern techniques to produce balanced, expressive wines.

Supported by a close-knit network of family, friends, employees, and volunteers, the winery thrives on shared effort—from vineyard work to bottling and tasting room service. United by a commitment to quality, sustainability, and community, the Fabbioli team continues to grow while showcasing the best of Loudoun County’s rural character.

Visitors are always welcome in the tasting room to experience the wines and the story behind them.

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Century Farm Winery

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Along with the vineyard, visitors to the Century Farm Winery in Jackson, Tennessee, can see what real-life West Tennessee farming looks like, including rows of cotton and corn.

Century Farm Winery was founded by Jo and Carl O’Cain and is now operated by Jo’s son, Bart Horton. This fully functioning farm has been growing a full gamut of horticultural crops since Jo’s family started farming the land over 150 years ago.

Originally the Spivey Farm, the winery’s name comes from its designation as a “Tennessee Century Farm” by the Center for Historic Preservation.

Bart makes a wide variety of award-winning wines from native grapes and fruit wines, including strawberry, pear, blueberry, concord, apple, cranberry, elderberry, and plum, along with a specialty 20% abv chocolate dessert wine.

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Black Star Farms

Friday, September 16, 2011

Black Star Farms is a premier winery and estate nestled in the heart of northern Michigan’s Traverse Wine Coast.

In 1998 founding partners Kerm Campbell and Donald Coe began the transformation of an 120-acre equestrian facility into a world class winery and agri-tourism destination, capturing the essence of the surrounding land and lakeshore. The property was named Black Star Farms after the stylized star in the marble foyer of the estate house.

“As farmers, we draw our livelihood from the fertile Michigan soil, embracing the challenges and rewards of growing premium grapes in this unique region. As winemakers, we’re privileged to capture the essence of our vineyards in every bottle, offering a distinct taste of northwest Michigan’s terroir.

“With their breathtaking landscapes, pristine waters, and ideal grape-growing conditions, the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas are more than just our home—they’re where we find inspiration every day.”

Michigan native Lee Lutes has been the head winemaker at Black Star Farms since its founding in 1998.

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Alto Vineyards & Winery

Thursday, August 18, 2011

“The Renzaglia Family welcomes you to Alto Vineyards and invites you to taste some of the finest wines produced in the United States. Our family-owned winery and vineyards are located in the foothills of the beautiful Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Our second tasting room in Champaign, Illinois, is not far from the University of Illinois campus.

Since our first vintage in 1988, our wines have won numerous medals in national and international wine competitions. The Renzaglia family philosophy is to produce the best possible wines in the Old World tradition, beginning in the vineyards, and finishing at your table.”

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