About TateDog

Tate was a wonderful Miniature Schnauzer with an awesome passion for life. He thought he was fierce, but never fooled anyone. He had no fear (although he should have feared racoons), especially when we were there to back him up. He was a pheasant fighter and, his worst fault, a chicken killer (just one very small one; I felt horrible). He really was a lover and player. He died the day he couldn't play anymore (we should all be so lucky) and his five-times-as-big playmate next-door still looks for him. While Tate's passing gave me some inspiration, this venture that honors Tate started, as many do, with a passion for wine and ultimately out of practicality, as we ran out of room for the wine we were making.

Like a lot of viticulturists (vineyard managers), I used to think that great wine is made in the vineyard and all winemakers can do is mess it up. I have mellowed a bit to admit that a good winemaker can add synergy to the ultimate finished product. I was working at Wente Vineyards when Claude Bobba was assigned to me. We were digging ditches for irrigation systems. (Claude will say I was in the truck and he was in the ditch, but that was only true one time.) One of the first things I was told was that he made wine at home. I had some grapes, so we made several vintages at his home. Soon he was so valuable to Wente that he was stolen from me and ultimately has become a great small lot winemaker. In his "spare" time, we are now on our 7th vintage together.

While I try to have input into stylistic decisions, Claude is at the winery and generally does what he feels is the right approach for the particular fermentation or wine. Our wines attempt to bring to the consumer the fruit as it was expressed by the vine and enhanced by the winemaking process. We have tried to provide you with a wine that you will enjoy drinking with or without food. We encourage you to enjoy it with your friends and family at the dinner (or lunch) table. Remember TateDog as being named from love, made with passion, and fueled by necessity. Please enjoy!

~ Mike