"Midlife" in ...
Trouble is (as is happening more and more these
days) I only recognize a small number of the 31 wineries
on the list. Other than Burrell School, Clos La Chance,
Kathryn Kennedy, Mount Eden, Ridge and Thomas Fogarty,
the list is a mystery. Any comments would be helpful.

Ahlgren

Family-run operation out of a house, I have bought from them for 10 years,
mainly on-site. Fairly serious Cabernets, gradually recognized by the
market. (I still have their 1992 and 96 cellared.)

Bargetto

Popular, again family-run firm that experiments with other-fruit wines as
well as more traditional varietals. In the news recently because some
members of the family were lost for some time after a deadly mountain storm
(but, as I understand, now back safe).

Cooper-Garrod

Unusual operation. Large extended family has long run a commercial horse
ranch. Patriarch is a former NASA test pilot. The barn used for tastings
on public days is decorated with photos of the 'planes he flew (and
occasionally crashed, but walked away from).

Mount Eden

Unusually well regarded, ageworthy Californioa Pinots, and this has been
true for years. You can read up about them online. Jeffrey Patterson is
owner-winemaker, you might meet him.

Thomas Fogarty

Physically large facility (people do weddings and retreats there) founded
(like David Bruce, which for some reason is not on the list) by a former
physician. I've bought their sparkling wines sometimes.

Unfortunate that Cinnabar is also absent from the list, that's another of
the several notable wineries in the California's Santa Cruz Mountains AVA.
Also extremely approachable and helpful people in my experience.

By the way, should you encounter Coppia's wine director Peter Marks (MW), a
former wine merchant and extremely well respected throughout the region,
please say hello from Max.

Cheers -- MH