LYETH

The next year (1973) Chip bought the 285-acre Brignole Ranch in the Alexander Valley and studied winemaking and viticulture at UC Davis. The winery was built in 1978 and Chip produced his first wines there in 1982. His wines received instant acclaim from critics who characterized Lyeths' wines as Bordeaux-style blends... In 1988, Chip teamed up with several other winemakers; including Bill Arbios, Lyeths' winemaker, who celebrated the Bordeaux tradition of blending varietals and created the Meritage Association. The philosophy is the blend must be created with only "noble" Bordeaux varieties - by creating standards, only high-quality wineries would produce Meritage labels; thus, elevating the status of blended wines.

Primary location: Zinfandel St. Helena