In 1976, Nils and his father-in-law, Robert Call, purchased the property now known as Saddleback Cellars, named after Saddleback Mountain top. After growing and selling the grapes from the property for a few years, Nils decided to make his own wine with the Saddleback label. 1982 was the first vintage of Saddleback Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and the winery was bonded in 1983. Operating Saddleback on weekends, after work and during vacations from his more formal winemaking duties at Groth kept Nils a very busy man, just the way he likes it! After parting company with Groth Vineyards and Winery in January of 1993, Nils branched out and became a consulting winemaker in addition to running Saddleback Cellars.
When Nils isn’t at Saddleback Cellars, you’ll probably find him sampling wines from the barrels in the caves of Del Dotto Winery, or up atop Spring Mountain at Keenan Winery, both places, Nils can be given credit for being the winemaker. You may spot him at Plumpjack or Moss Creek and Bacio Divino, where he’s valued for his “two cents” and is the consulting winemaker.
Kirk Venge, Nils’ son, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Viticulture and Enology in 1998 at his father’s Alma Mater, U.C. Davis, and is quickly making a name for himself in the world of wine. There’s a mountainside “ghost” winery that the Venge’s have resurrected with blood, sweat and tears where Kirk will hang his hat and showcase what the next generation Venge has to offer.
Nils Venge has earned a place in the halls of lore and tradition in the Napa Valley, where he is considered to have the biggest hands and one of the best winemaking instincts. He continues to receive awards and high scores from reputable wine journals at his family winery, Saddleback Cellars, located in Oakville, California.
