Villa Mt. Eden has found success with an award-winning winemaking style that results in lush, elegant wines. "California grapes have so much flavor, they dare you to let them go to their optimum threshold. The challenge as a winemaker is to let them," says winemaker of more than 20 years, Mike McGrath.

Such winemaking requires patience and endurance, something Mike learned in college as an All-American cross-country runner. "Like a distance runner, a winemaker needs to pace himself to allow both the grapes and the wine time to evolve," Mike says.

Being able to source fruit from the best vineyards across the state ties in with Mike's continued love of travel. "California winemaking offers plenty of uncharted territory," he says. "Every vintage is a journey."