 When Anthony Terlato and his sons Bill and John became winery owners and vintners in 1996, they started with one goal in mind: Excellence. The concept was to produce wines as important as those the Terlato Family imported and marketed during the last half century. The bar was already set high, because they are associated with the best.
With its four wineries in California, the Terlatos invested in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. They moved quantum leaps in quality and developed friendships over the past 10 years with numerous vineyard owners. They assembled a management team and an elite wine-producing group in perfect concert with the idea of producing some exciting, up-and-coming California varietals.
Rutherford Hill Pinot Grigio didn't ring a bell, Chimney Rock Syrah from Stags Leap District didn't either, nor did Sanford Meritage, since the family already had Episode and Elevage. The idea of putting the family name on the bottle was suggested by a restaurateur.
 Terlato Family Vineyards was born and will ultimately produce seven luxury wines to round out the production portfolio: A Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay from Russian River Valley, a Syrah from Dry Creek Valley, the trio of Bordeaux-style blends from Napa Valley named Angels' Peak, Devils' Peak and Cardinals' Peak, to be released in 2008. Terlato Family Vineyards will also release a Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon in 2008.
The Terlato Family brings their commitment and passion to crafting world-class wine, carefully selecting vineyards from the most esteemed viticultural areas of California, insisting on limited production of handcrafted wines that are authentic expressions of their region, with the intention of serving gastronomy.
All Terlato Family Vineyards varietals are to be bottled in limited quantities, and will only be produced when they meet exacting quality standards.
As Anthony Terlato remarked:
"If we're going to put our name on the label, there better be something special in the bottle. It better be distinctive, recognizable and made with the passionate commitment to quality that has characterized everything we've ever done. Then it should be judged on its quality, with the three important quality attributes:
In the top 15 percent of its price category, Acknowledged to be a value at the price, and
Be willing to pay more if you can't get it."
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