This summer, we took Hafner Vineyard on the road, sharing our wines with longtime patrons and introducing their friends to our family winery in Illinois and Minnesota. From an intimate country club tasting to a lively backyard gathering, we were reminded that great wine is best enjoyed with good company. These memorable events reinforced something we've always believed: the most rewarding part of the business is having connections with patrons both longtime and brand new. 

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Last Saturday, we completed our final Spring Barrel Tasting here in Alexander Valley. A tradition started by my grandparents and continued by my uncle, Scott Hafner, these gatherings are a wonderful opportunity for us to be together and say "Thank You" in person. We shared wines like our 2022 Blanc de Blancs and a 2009 Library Cabernet Sauvignon alongside some snacks in the Grove outside our winery. These gatherings are a highlight of our Spring; thank you to those who joined us and for those who didn't, we hope you might join in the future or come for a tour of the vineyard, winery and caves. 

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While we sell 95% of our wine to people at home, we sell the remaining to top California restaurants. Following the pandemic, we are reviving our restaurant accounts which took us to Southern California. With a four year old and seven year old in tow, we turned a high stakes sales trip into a family adventure, starting with the ultimate bribe: Disneyland. This journey through Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Monterey was more than just business; it was a mission to reconnect with iconic dining rooms and honor multi-generational relationships. From "double-teaming" sales calls to beach stops between appointments, this is a look at the persistence, strategy, and heart it takes to run a family winery.

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Wine tasting should be about enjoyment, not intimidation. Whether we are conducting professional sessions at the winery or sharing a bottle at home, we believe that every opinion is matters and that the best pairings involve good food and great company. In this post, Grace Hafner shares a look at a recent "Pizza and Pinot" blind tasting, along with simple tips for hosting your own low-pressure event using newspaper-wrapped bottles and a lighthearted ranking system. Discover how to take the mystery out of the glass and keep the focus on fun.

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"Meet the Team" is our blog series that introduces each of the Hafner Vineyard team members. We answer a series of questions about ourselves and our time at Hafner Vineyard. Miguel Dominguez is celebrating his first anniversary at Hafner Vineyard this month. A native of Guanajato, Miguel has lived in California since he was 15. With his decades of vineyard knowledge, his favorite time of year is Springtime when he sees new growth (and warm weather) in the vineyard. When he's not at work, you'll find him cheering on soccer teams or browsing flea markets with his wife and daughters. 

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