In my continuing effort to educate my readers about cult wines, I was reminded that I have not written about what amounts to perhaps, the first cult wine in California: Grace Family Vineyards.

The story of the Grace Family wine name starts the same as so many others in the wine industry, one family member started growing grapes because they were interested in wine and the most amazing thing happened: it turned out that their microclimate was perhaps perfect to make outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon.

The family farm was first planted and bottled by Dick Grace, whom has since relinquished control of the family business to his son Kirk. Kirk has continued the hands on approach started by his father (an ex Marine, perfection leads to great wine) and has adapted to grow all of their fruit not only biodynamically, but also organically. He has also continued one of the aspects that makes Grace unique, their wine bottles are hand painted.

Over the years the family has added close to three additional acres, but they still have a waiting list of approximately four thousand people that want to become members of their wine clubs.

What's the wine like? Honestly, I have no idea, like I said there is a four thousand person waiting list for their clubs, but California cult wine hardly ever disappointing and Kirk Grace now manages Stag's Leap Cellars which is an outstanding producer in their own right. Other reviews have described them as incredibly complex, yet balanced with a different flavor profile then you'd expect from a California Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact the most often comparison seems to be with Marguax, an incredibly famous French wine estate in Bordeaux. Being compared to a first growth French estate is not something to be taken lightly for a new world producer, it speaks to both the care and ability in growing the fruit and winemaking as new world producers exist in warmer climates which raise alcohol levels and make it more difficult to achieve balance in the wine.

If you can find a bottle and can spare the expense... give Grace Family Cellars a try... let me know what you think!