Next-Gen Wines

By Megan Krigbaum

These bottles have serious pedigrees: They're all made by children of great California winemakers.

Next-generation California wines.

2009 Ethan Grenache ($40) right

Bob Lindquist is the father of Santa Barbara wine. Now his son Ethan is trying his hand with terrific bottlings like this fruit-dense Grenache.

California Wine: Evolve Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Evolve Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)

Mike Benziger, whose family started Sonoma's eco-winery Benziger in the 1970s, makes this inky Napa Cab with his friend Ben Flajnik.

California Wine: Rock Wall Stagecoach Zinfandel

2009 Rock Wall Stagecoach Zinfandel ($40)

Shauna Rosenblum makes this raspberry-rich Zinfandel and more in an old San Francisco airplane hangar with help from her father, Zin guru Kent Rosenblum.

California Wine: Taken Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2008 Taken Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($30)

Josh Phelps and Carlo Trinchero still work at their families' wineries, but the two (who met in kindergarten) launched their own brand, Taken, last year.