It’s a new month! We have made it to September, which for us, means we have been in what is essentially a quarantine for six months. Though I am dying to have an adventure off the island, like a visit to wine country during this wonderful harvest time of year, I am thrilled that so many wineries have reinvented the way they do business by bringing the tasting room experience to their guests in the comfort of their own home.

The Wente family has been a staple of California winemaking since 1883. The longest family-owned and operated winery, based 30 minutes from San Francisco in Livermore, has been at the forefront of innovation since its earliest days, proving the quality with affordability that Livermore delivers.

Embracing this idea of innovation the winery was the first in the country to create an in-home wine tasting app, available via Alexa and Google Home devices to bring the tasting room experience to you, safely in your home. As the winery remains closed due to Covid-19, the app allows guests to enjoy Wente wines with a guided tasting hosted by the winery, including their Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon ($20). From sustainably farmed estate fruit, the wine reveals notes of boysenberry and blackberry, with an easy to enjoy gracefulness.

For a classic take on California Chardonnay, from Monterey’s Arroyo Secco AVA, Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay ($22) is rich and round, with a nice pop of fresh acidity, melding toasted oak and spice with creamy custard, tropical mango and pineapple, with juicy citrus and a hint of white flowers.

For more on the app, and wines included in the tasting, follow the link here.