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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After 44 harvests at Hafner Vineyard, longtime employee Gerardo Lopez has retired. Gerardo was a master tractor driver and a cornerstone of the vineyard's operations. Part of the Lopez family legacy at the winery, which has seen at least one of six brothers on staff since our founding, Gerardo was known for his precision with harvest machinery, his diligence in land cultivation, and his infectious laughter. While he is stepping back from full-time work, he will continue to assist the team seasonally. We are deeply grateful for all Gerardo has done to make each vintage a success.

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During the holidays, patrons often open special bottles, sometimes even discovering forgotten vintages tucked away in the cellar, so we’ve gathered a few helpful tips to make the most of them. From how to open older bottles to when to use a decanter and how wines age, explore our holiday wine resources to help you serve your wines well. You'll find many videos and posts to help you with all your Holiday wine tips. 

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