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Founded in 1990 by Kent Callaghan and his parents Harold and Karen, Callaghan Vineyards quickly established a reputation for producing outstanding wines. Robert Parker, editor of The Wine Advocate, has recommended over 20 Callaghan wines in the last six years. Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher of The Wall Street Journal recently listed the Callaghan 1996 Fume Blanc as one the twelve most impressive wines of their last two years of tasting. In his CD/ROM on winegrape varietals, English writer Oz Clarke listed the Callaghan Zinfandel as an excellent example produced outside California. Le Monde recently (8/11/00) listed Callaghan Vineyards as one of six wineries/winemakers in the United States worth noting, saying, " ... astonishing, concentrated and fruity wines. This pioneer symbolizes the spirit of the wines of the New World." The production of high quality wine has always been the primary goal at Callaghan Vineyards. Vineyard yields are intentionally kept low to promote depth of flavor and intensity in the resulting wines. Because it tends to give finer, more subtle flavors, French oak is now used exclusively to age both reds and whites. All red wines and some whites are bottled without fining or filtration to preserve the natural flavor and texture of the wines. The Buena Suerte Vineyard, planted in 1990, is the source of estate grown grapes. Initially, most of its 17 acres were planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel. In the past four years, as some replanting has become necessary, however, new varieties such as Syrah, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Mourvedre, Riesling, Malvasia, and Viognier have been planted to better match grape varieties to the site. The red, iron and calcium rich, gravelly clay of the Buena Suerte Vineyard is one of the most highly prized soil types for red winegrapes, wherever it is found in the wine world.