As Erin Scally's text message pinged my phone in October, I couldn't help but smile. After visiting Mending Wall earlier in the year during our Atlanta High Museum Wine Auction cultivation trip (which you can read about here) and enjoying their wines alongside winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, the opportunity to reconnect with Erin and discover five new (to me) producers was irresistible.

The invitation was simple but compelling: "We're hitting the road and are thrilled to announce we'll be in Atlanta Wednesday, November 13th. We'd love to have you join us for the Napa Independent Producer's Showcase featuring six family-owned, premium boutique producers." The lineup included Cornell Vineyards, O'Shaughnessy, MTGA Wines, Tate, and Arietta alongside Mending Wall.

I immediately invited my friend Dain and we secured our tickets for what would prove to be an extraordinary evening at Terminus 330, an event space I'd never visited before.

DISCOVERING A HISTORIC VENUE

Arriving at Terminus 330 on Marietta Street, I was immediately struck by the venue's industrial charm. The 1912 building, originally constructed for Atlanta's Maddox Coffee Company, had been beautifully restored to showcase its original hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and heavy timber columns while maintaining a distinctly modern vibe.

The space bustled with activity as attendees mingled among impressive wine bottle displays and beautifully arranged charcuterie boards. The rustic elegance of the space - with its exposed brick walls and original architectural details - provided an ideal backdrop for this gathering of California's finest boutique producers.

THE TRAVELING WINE FAMILY

As I learned from the various winery reps throughout the evening, this group of six producers has developed into something of a traveling wine family. The friendships began with Mike from MTGA, Luke from Cornell, and Suzanne from Tate, who had been friends for years and started traveling together. Sarah from Arietta joined a couple years ago, while both Erin from Mending Wall and Kristen from O'Shaughnessy were brought into the fold last year.

Luke explained their venue selection process: They use a "really small company called Google," he joked, describing how they research different venues, checking price points, space capabilities, and ensuring they're not in questionable neighborhoods. "This one was not too bad," he noted with satisfaction about Terminus 330.

The group travels together twice a year, hitting different cities to bring their wines directly to consumers who might not have the opportunity to visit Napa. This particular tour included Charlotte the night before and Tampa the following evening - a three-city, three-day wine showcase.

MENDING WALL: THOMAS RIVERS BROWN'S ARTISTRY

Starting where I left off during my Napa visit, I reconnected with Erin Scally at the Mending Wall station. It was wonderful to revisit the Mending Wall wines without having to open any of the bottles I have in my cellar from my August trip to the winery!

Known for her deep knowledge of their portfolio and genuine passion for the wines, Erin immediately made Dain and I feel welcomed as she guided us through their lineup, beginning with their signature 2022 Mending Wall Stone on Stone, which I scored 93 points for its delicious and refreshing character.

Mending Wall represents the vision of proprietors Frank Dotzler, Mark Pulido, and Donna Walker, who partnered with legendary winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown to create wines "built around the spirit of wine itself." Brown, famously the youngest winemaker to receive a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker and the first American winemaker to earn a perfect 100 from Wine Spectator, brings decades of experience from his work with prestigious producers throughout Napa Valley.

This Sauvignon Blanc blend showcases 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon, with the Semillon adding crucial texture and viscosity that makes the wine linger on the palate rather than disappearing like a typical "porch pounder." The fruit comes entirely from Northern Valley sources: one block from Mending Wall's estate vineyard and the remainder from Tofanelli Vineyard in Calistoga.

Erin explained that Thomas makes this particular wine primarily for himself - he's renowned for his Cabernets but personally loves drinking Champagne and white wine at day's end. The result is a more serious white that brings complexity without being cloying.

Moving to their reds, the 2022 Mending Wall Mortar & Stone earned 92 points from me for its dark fruit character and open, balanced profile. It was particularly exciting to taste this vintage, as I had tried the 2021 version back in August at the winery with Erin, scoring it identically. This unusual field blend features 70% Zinfandel for aromatics, 20% Petite Sirah for color, and 10% Charbono from 90-year-old vines at Tofanelli Vineyard. These ancient, dry-farmed, head-trained vines produce incredibly high-quality fruit in small quantities - exactly what small producers like Mending Wall seek.

Their 2022 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon, scoring 92 points, blends fruit from two St. Helena vineyards just half a mile apart: their estate vineyard and Tournahu vineyard. The wine spent 22 months in barrel and showcased remarkable openness for such a young vintage, with integrated tannins and a velvety texture that Erin described as not needing "a fatty steak" to enjoy.

The highlight was their 2022 Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon Godward Vineyard, which earned 93 points - again matching my score for the 2021 vintage I had tasted during my winery visit. This fruit originally went into BV's Georges de Latour Private Reserve for 40 years before Constellation ended the contract. Located between Staglin and Scarecrow on the Western Rutherford bench, this vineyard produces fruit from what Erin called "the Rodeo Drive of vineyards."

As a special treat, Erin poured their 2021 Mending Wall Cabernet Franc Oakville Ranch, rating 91 points - a one-year-only wine when a neighboring contract fell through just weeks before harvest. With only 75 cases produced from this high-elevation, fog-line vineyard, it represented a unique opportunity that might never come again.

CORNELL VINEYARDS: BURGUNDIAN ASPIRATIONS

At the Cornell station, Luke Speer immediately established his fun and irreverent approach by introducing himself with his self-proclaimed title of "Director of Drinking" at Cornell. This playful attitude set the stage for what would become one of the evening's most entertaining and educational presentations, which we absolutely loved!

Behind Luke's passion stands the vision of Henry Cornell and the expertise of winemakers Elizabeth Tangney and Françoise Peschon, who collectively pursue perfection from their Spring Mountain estate. Cornell Vineyards operates from 245 acres atop Spring Mountain on the Sonoma side, though they lost 235 acres to the devastating 2020 fires. This tragedy ultimately allowed them to replant more thoughtfully, optimizing their vineyard blocks for better quality. The estate now features 20 acres of vines broken into 32 sublocks, each with different varietals, row orientations, rootstocks, and vine stocks.

Their 2023 Cornell Chardonnay, scoring 92 points, told a fascinating story of pursuing perfection. When Henry Cornell asked winemakers Elizabeth Tangney and Françoise Peschon to "make me Raveneau" - referencing one of Burgundy's greatest producers - they couldn't find suitable fruit in Sonoma. Instead, they ventured to Santa Barbara's Our Lady of Guadalupe vineyard, owned by Dave Phinney of Prisoner fame, finding diatomaceous earth soils that produced the super high acid, low alcohol character they sought.

Luke shared some entertaining stories about Henry Cornell's dedication to drinking exceptional Burgundy. As he explained, "Henry comes to town and we drink Raveneau every day. My job sucks!" he joked, describing how they'd recently enjoyed a 2006 Raveneau before wine critic Antonio Galloni visited and brought a 2014. "We're like, Antonio really, you can't bring anything older?" Luke quipped, highlighting the rarified world of exceptional white Burgundy these wines aspire to match.

The 2021 Cornell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Courtship, earning 92 points, represented a different direction in their portfolio. Created from their estate's 32 sublocks when they realized the "leftovers" from their flagship wine were exceptional, this hedonistic blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 10% Malbec, and 6% Petit Verdot offers immediate accessibility.

Their flagship 2021 Cornell Estate Cabernet Sauvignon commanded 93 points for its super tannic yet balanced structure. As Luke explained, Henry Cornell originally wanted to make just one perfect wine, like a first-growth Bordeaux, before realizing even first-growths produce second labels.

The evening's most exclusive pour was their 2021 Cornell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Commitment, earning 93 points. This $325 wine, made from four of their best barrels and aged an additional year, carries profound meaning. After losing 235 of their 245 acres to the 2020 fires, the team faced a crossroads - continue or quit. The name "Commitment" reflects their decision to persevere, both professionally and personally for Henry Cornell's family.

Luke's storytelling reached its peak when discussing the fires and recovery. He quoted his grandmother Helen, saying, "My grandma Helen, who's one of my all-time favorite people in the world, always said that when God gives you lemons, ask for tequila." This philosophy clearly influences Luke's approach to both winemaking and life.

Throughout the tasting, Luke maintained his irreverent spirit, at one point declaring, "Let's take the pretentiousness out of this shit. We're here for a good time!" This attitude perfectly captured why we enjoyed the Cornell experience so much - exceptional wines presented with genuine enthusiasm and zero pretense.

O'SHAUGHNESSY: MOUNTAIN TERROIR MASTERY

Kristen Arnold's presentation at O'Shaughnessy revealed the remarkable dedication of Betty O'Shaughnessy, who transformed a Minnesota winter escape into a serious winemaking venture. Betty purchased her Oakville second home in 1990, becoming friends with the Groths and developing a passion for winemaking. In 1996, she found an untouched forest property on Howell Mountain, leading to plantings in 1997 and the completion of their winery facility in 2004.

Sean Capiaux serves as both winemaker and president, providing continuity since the brand's inception - an increasingly rare achievement in today's wine industry. The estate spans 120 acres with 42 planted to vines, primarily the 36 acres dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon that form the backbone of their production.

Their 2022 O'Shaughnessy Chardonnay, earning 91 points, showcased bright acidity and body without malolactic fermentation, using a combination of neutral oak, new oak, stainless steel, and concrete. With only 200 cases produced, this wine demonstrates their commitment to quality over quantity.

The 2021 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, scoring 92 points, represents their signature wine. This Bordeaux blend features 83% Cabernet Sauvignon blended with estate-grown Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Carménère from vines planted beginning in 1997. At 1,800 feet elevation, above the fog line, the vineyard enjoys full sun exposure that produces concentrated fruit.

During our conversation, Kristen shared a philosophy that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening: "You can't have a good bottle of wine and poor company. Right." This sentiment resonated deeply with me, as it encapsulates what wine culture is truly about - the connections we make over shared appreciation for exceptional wines.

Their 2018 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Del Oso Vineyard Block 13 Howell Mountain earned my highest score of their lineup at 94 points. This first release of 100% Cabernet from their oldest, lowest-yielding block showcased Bordeaux characteristics with beautifully resolved tannins. With only 80 cases produced, this wine represents the pinnacle of their estate fruit.

The 2021 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, rating 93 points, demonstrated how different their two mountain sites produce distinct expressions. At 1,300 feet, spending most days in fog or shade with only afternoon sun, this vineyard produces longer-ripening fruit with blue fruit characteristics like boysenberry and blackberry.

MTGA WINES: THE MERLOT SPECIALIST

Meeting Mike Anderson at the MTGA station was particularly exciting since Merlot is my favorite varietal. His story began in 2010 when Merlot was decidedly unfashionable, but Mike had grown up in St. Helena with family in the wine industry since 1983 at Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards. Despite extensive cellar and vineyard work as what he described as "free child labor" on the family farm, he'd never made wine start-to-finish unsupervised.

Mike's journey through the wine industry included working at Silverado Vineyards, Baldacci, Raymond Vineyards, and Cliff Family Wines, gaining experience through part-time and on-call positions whenever wineries needed extra hands. This extensive background in various cellars provided him with the knowledge base to eventually strike out on his own.

Working with just his wife as a two-person operation, MTGA has grown to 1,200 cases while maintaining their focus on Merlot as the flagship. Mike sources fruit from the Castellucci family, with whom he's worked for all 15 years of production, creating wines at the family's Anderson's Conn Valley facility.

His 2017 MTGA Merlot, earning 94 points, showcased why he started this label when Merlot wasn't fashionable. The wine displayed beautiful red fruit, forward character, and a delicious nose that had developed perfectly after seven years. Mike keeps a library program specifically because he believes his style shines in the 5-7 year range when wines settle down and develop complexity beyond the initial fruit. I was so impressed with this wine that I immediately purchased some for my cellar.

His 2021 MTGA Repechage, scoring 92 points, represents a red blend named after the "second chance" race in rowing regattas. This balanced, easy-drinking wine perfectly embodied Mike's approach to accessible winemaking.

The 2022 MTGA Cabernet Franc Let It Run, rating 91 points, showcased Mike's playful side with its Galaga-inspired label. Made from just one ton of fruit producing less than 300 bottles, this wine won't be released until February. Mike creates video game-inspired labels for each limited Cabernet Franc bottling, having previously featured Super Mario and Pac-Man. When I mentioned I had owned a Galaga cocktail table for ten years, Mike's eyes lit up - we shared that nostalgic connection to classic arcade gaming.

My Galaga cocktail before I parted ways with it in 2018!

Mike's passion for his single-barrel Merlot was evident as he described their 2021 MTGA Merlot Single Barrel, though it had run out before I reached his station. His enthusiasm convinced me I needed to experience this wine, so I added it to my order despite not tasting it - sometimes a winemaker's genuine excitement is recommendation enough. This special wine represents the epitome of what Mike strives for in his Merlot program.

TATE: CANADIAN PRECISION MEETS CALIFORNIA TERROIR

Suzanne Tate's station revealed the unique story of her husband David, the only Canadian-born, Canadian-trained winemaker in Napa Valley. David's journey began on Vancouver Island near the Arctic Circle in Uranium City, but he studied at Brock University on the Niagara bench at their Cool Climatology Institute, where German and Austrian professors shaped his approach to winemaking.

David's educational background particularly fascinated me, as Suzanne explained how his thesis work focused on "how certain yeast strains cleave to create these aromatics in the glass." This scientific approach to aromatics development became evident in every wine they produce, especially their Sauvignon Blanc.

Before founding Tate in 2011, David spent five years as assistant winemaker at Ridge's legendary Montebello property and currently serves as General Manager and winemaker at Barnett Vineyards on Spring Mountain. Tate operates as a 1,000-case, two-person operation where Suzanne handles sales while David focuses on winemaking, partnering with small farmers who have one or two-acre plots to create single-expression wines.

Their 2023 Tate Sauvignon Blanc, earning 92 points, demonstrated David's thesis work in action through an incredibly long 4.5-week fermentation. Sourced from a single acre south of St. Helena, this wine undergoes four months in stainless steel before bottling with Stelvin closures to preserve freshness. As Suzanne explained, David's research showed that short fermentations blunt the nose, while extended fermentations allow proper aromatic development.

Their 2023 Tate Chardonnay Spring Street, rating 91 points, showcased David's commitment to barrel fermentation and detailed winemaking. Using only one new French oak barrel among seven total, with partial malolactic fermentation and weekly battonage, the wine achieved texture and complexity without relying solely on oak. Suzanne described the intricate process, explaining how they manage seven individual fermentations rather than one large batch, creating more nuanced layering in the final wine.

The 2022 Tate Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Vineyard, scoring 93 points from Howell Mountain, demonstrated their mountain fruit expertise. But the evening's surprise was their 2022 Tate Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, earning 94 points and becoming my red wine of the night. With jammy red fruit, balanced tannins, and candy-like notes, this wine impressed me so much I immediately added it to my cellar - particularly remarkable given its exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

ARIETTA: MUSIC AND WINE HARMONY

Arriving at Sara Nicole Hitchcock's Arietta station as the night was winding down, I was immediately drawn to learn about this winery's musical connections. As a drummer who loves heavy music - which inspired the name "Heavy Pour Wine" for my blog - I was fascinated by Arietta's founding story of two friends who shared passions for both wine and music.

Founded in the mid-1990s by Fritz Hatton and his partner Karen Hatton, Arietta began with a single barrel of Cabernet Franc blend from Hudson Ranch vineyard in Carneros in 1996. The winery name reflects their musical passion, and they've maintained this artistic vision for nearly three decades. Legendary winemaker John Kongsgaard crafted their wines for the first decade before handing the reins to his protégé Andy Erickson in 2005.

Unfortunately, since the tasting was closing as we reached this final station, I didn't have the opportunity to explore the musical side of their venture as much as I would have liked. However, Sara's knowledge of their wines was apparent as she guided us through their exceptional offerings.

The 2019 Arietta Red Wine H Block Hudson Vineyards, rating 92 points, represents their flagship wine from the single block where co-harvested and co-fermented Cabernet Franc and Merlot require precise vineyard knowledge to achieve perfect ripeness. As their 25th anniversary bottling, this wine carried special significance.

Their 2021 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon, scoring 92 points, came from Meteor Vineyard in Coombsville - one of winemaker Andy Erickson's favorite Cabernet sources. Sara described Mike Wolf as the "bomb-ass viticulturalist" who planted this vineyard 20-25 years ago and still farms it today. I loved her enthusiastic description of Mike Wolf - it perfectly captured the respect these producers have for the people who grow their grapes.

The vineyard's name, Meteor, derives from its appearance - the site literally looks like a meteor crashed there, creating the unique geological formation that makes it so special for growing Cabernet. The vineyard sits on volcanically-derived soils and is dry-farmed, producing the concentrated fruit that Andy Erickson seeks.

In an incredible gesture of hospitality as the evening was drawing to a close, Sara gifted us an unopened bottle of their Arietta Variation One - a Syrah blend that represents an anomaly in Arietta's typically Bordeaux-focused portfolio. This John Kongsgaard pet project, made in just four barrels annually, represented the compromise between Arietta's two partners. I immediately added this exceptional gift to my cellar, grateful for such generosity from a producer I'd just met.

THREE STANDOUT DISCOVERIES

Reflecting on this extraordinary tasting, three wines particularly stood out. The 2017 MTGA Merlot showcased why Mike Anderson's dedication to this often-overlooked varietal produces such compelling results - its perfect development after seven years demonstrated the wisdom of his library program. The 2022 Tate Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder surprised everyone with its accessibility and balance at such an attractive price point, proving that exceptional quality doesn't always require premium pricing. Most impressive was the 2018 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Del Oso Vineyard Block 13, which demonstrated the potential of Howell Mountain's oldest, lowest-yielding vines.

The evening's success reflected not just the quality of wines but the genuine openness of each representative to share detailed information about their winemaking philosophies and vineyard sources. From special pours not on the official list to in-depth discussions about terroir and techniques, each conversation deepened my appreciation for these small producers' dedication to their craft. I particularly appreciated when the representatives took time to explain technical aspects - as someone who writes about wine for educational purposes, these detailed explanations help me better understand and share the intricacies of winemaking with my readers.

The camaraderie among these producers was evident throughout the evening - they truly function as a wine family, supporting each other's efforts to bring exceptional wines to markets far from Napa Valley. Their willingness to share both their wines and their stories created an atmosphere of education and discovery that made this showcase memorable beyond just the exceptional bottles.

Left to Right: Mike, Erin, Luke and Brad

As the evening wound down and I attempted to walk home through downtown Atlanta, the beautiful November night seemed perfect for reflection. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and I had to cut my walk short when rain began falling. But the brief inconvenience couldn't diminish what had been an exceptional introduction to six remarkable California producers who had brought their passion and expertise directly to Atlanta's wine lovers.

Go to my Tasting Notes

Six California Winemakers Take Atlanta by Storm