Stark Wine, Healdsburg

Although the winemakers at Stark Wine specialize in small-lot vintages, inspired by wines from the Rhône and Mediterranean regions, don't misread their global influences—this is a thoroughly local wine company. Each vintage is made with grapes from sustainably-run California vineyards, and the results starkly highlight the grape's distinct flavors.

The winery's name is no pun. The owners, husband-and-wife duo Christian and Jen Stark, shared their name with their winery, and much more. Christian, for instance, graduated from California Culinary Academy before realizing his passion lay more in the wines he matched with his meals. Today, you only need to sample the tasting room's cheese pairings to know someone on the premises has a culinary background.