TICKET LINK: https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
Limited production isn’t a marketing slogan. It’s a literal math problem. When vineyards are measured in single acres, production is restricted to micro-batches of just a few barrels per vintage.
Once these cases leave the cellar and enter private collections, the vault doors close permanently on the vintage.
On July 12th, Prima Materia drops their highly anticipated 2026 new release, exclusively at Local Vines. Winemaker Pietro Buttitta will personally guide you through the first tasting of small-batch wines not available at big box stores. There’s even a surprise or two waiting for you, but why spoil the surprise!
Expect first access to these limited quantity micro-batches and learn the realities of micro-wine making and why true scarcity drives quality—all delivered by the artisan who lives the experience.
Like the wines, seats are limited to ensure the personal experience. Grab your allocation now!
The Exclusive Allocation Flight
● 2025 Prugnolo Gentile Rosé: 100% Sangiovese (historic Prugnolo Gentile clone).
● 2021 Sagrantino: 100% Sagrantino (FPS 01 clone).
● 2021 Aglianico: 95% Aglianico and 5% estate Montepulciano.
● 2025 Barrel Sample (The Vault Surprise): An appassimento-style blend of Montepulciano, Refosco, Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sagrantino.
Event Details:
● Location: Local Vines Lafayette
● Date: Sunday, July 12th, 2026
● Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
● Admission: $20 Tasting Flight
● Reservations: Secure your entry pass and guaranteed purchasing allocation at https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
Tickets available here: https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
The heart and soul behind Raisin d’Être Vineyards is proprietor and vintner Daniel Howsepian—a warm, deeply welcoming presence whose passion for winemaking is matched only by his love for sharing it with family and friends.
Daniel’s journey into the world of wine began when he was just a small boy. Every year in July and August, his parents sent him to France to spend summers with his extended family. During his time in Burgundy, he spent unforgettable days with his uncle Jojo, who served as the Cellar Master of “Dufouleur Père et Fils” in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Uncle Jojo showed young Daniel around ancient wine cellars originally built by the Romans as armories, where the unforgettable, rich aromas left a permanent mark on his imagination.
Surrounded by cousins who proudly tended their own little family vineyards and enthusiastically shared their creations, Daniel caught the spark of a lifelong dream: one day, he would have his own winemaking adventure.
Years later, that childhood spark became a reality. After spending a career in building development—experience that eventually helped him uniquely construct his own micro-winery built into a hillside around the concept of gravity flow—Daniel brought his French-inspired vision to the rolling hills and canyons of Lafayette, California.
The name Raisin d’Être is Daniel’s playful and heartfelt take on the French expression raison d’être, meaning “reason for being.” For Daniel, growing grapes, nurturing living soils organically, hand-pruning, and hand-harvesting isn’t just a craft—it is quite literally his reason for being.
Daniel’s deep-rooted dedication to the vine has come full circle, even inspiring his son Julien to follow a path into winemaking. Today, Daniel pours that same generational passion, warmth, and commitment to minimal-intervention craftsmanship into every single bottle he creates.
When you share a glass of Raisin d’Être, you aren’t just tasting an exceptional Lamorinda wine—you are stepping into a warm, multigenerational story born in the cellars of Burgundy and brought lovingly to life right here in the East Bay.
Find these four signature varietals highlighted on your placemat corners:
Space is limited—reserve your spot today for an afternoon of exceptional wine and rich family tradition.
Ticket link: https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
In a world of mass-produced, heavily processed wines, it is easy to lose touch with where the bottle in your hand actually comes from. We invite you to join us at Local Vines for a rare, intimate afternoon of connection and discovery. We are thrilled to host Bill Scanlin, the visionary behind Deer Hill Vineyards, for a masterclass that pulls back the curtain on his “Philosophy of Less.”
Deer Hill Vineyards is more than just a winery; it is a family-owned estate nestled right here in Lafayette, California. For over 20 years, this vineyard has been a true labor of love. Bill Scanlin has spent those two decades walking these vines, constantly observing, learning, and refining his craft to capture the soul of the land. His commitment to the Lamorinda American Viticultural Area (AVA) has earned him acclaim in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, but for Bill, it has always been about the simple, authentic joy of sharing a great glass of wine with his neighbors.
Space is limited to keep this gathering intimate and conversational. We would love to have you join us to celebrate the purity of our local terroir and the stories behind the glass.
https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
UNCORK THE CELLAR SECRETS
The First-Ever Barrel Tasting at Local Vines featuring Los Arabis Vineyards
Tickets at: https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
Join us for an ultra-exclusive, intimate afternoon as we host Leslie Ward, co-founder of Los Arabis Vineyards, alongside winemaker Bill English. This marks a special milestone: Local Vines’ very first barrel tasting during our Meet the Maker series.
Guests will explore the incredible journey of this boutique Lafayette estate through a guided three-wine flight that bridges the past, present, and future of their hand-farmed Pinot Noir.
The Tasting Flight Lineup:
2020 Los Arabis Estate Pinot Noir: A beautifully settled, library-vintage expression of the estate’s unique southwestern-facing hillside.
2022 Los Arabis Estate Pinot Noir: A vibrant, complex look at how a single growing season shapes their distinct microclimate terroir.
Exclusive Barrel Sample: A rare, insider opportunity to taste a future release directly from the cellars before it is clarified, aged, and bottled.
Meet the Makers
Leslie Ward (Co-Founder): The Wards transformed a steep, 3-acre Lafayette hillside to a passionate, pioneering vineyard operation planted in 1999. As founding members of the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association since 2005, the Wards are true architects of our local viticulture scene.
Bill English (Winemaker): Crafting the current legacy of Ward Family Wine, Bill manages the meticulous transition from grape to glass, honoring the 100% hand-farmed hillside harvest.
Before the vines, there was the herd
The name Los Arabis pays homage to the majestic Arabian horses that ran this specific Lafayette hillside for years prior to the vines being planted in 1999. Today, their signature Pinot Noir is celebrated for its dry, silky texture, deeply layered flavors of cola, nutmeg, and mace, and a beautiful finish.
Event Details
What: Local Vines’ First-Ever Barrel Tasting featuring Los Arabis Vineyards
When: Sunday, June 28th | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Local Vines Lafayette
Cost: $20 per person
Attendees will receive a 20% discount on all Los Arabis wine purchased during the event
https://local-vines.thethirdplace.is/events/upcoming
The One With The Owners: Local Vines is thrilled to announce the next installment of its highly anticipated Meet the Maker Series, featuring an exclusive afternoon tasting with acclaimed Thal Vineyards on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This premium two-hour event offers wine enthusiasts an intimate opportunity to engage directly with owners Larry and Esther Thal, alongside talented winemaker Bill English. Together, they will share the passion, craft, and personal stories behind some of the region’s most distinctive and highly decorated labels, combining premium wine with welcoming, story-driven conversation.
The featured tasting menu showcases the exceptional diversity and heritage of Thal Vineyards, guiding guests through a sensory journey of five award-winning wines:
Admission to this exclusive Meet the Maker Series event is $25 per person, which includes the full guided wine flight. To further celebrate the occasion, attendees will receive an exclusive 20% discount on all Thal Vineyards wine purchases made during the event window, making it the perfect opportunity to stock personal cellars for the summer season.
While tickets will be available at the door, space is strictly limited to ensure an intimate and educational environment for all guests, so advance purchase is highly recommended.
Event Details:
Presented by Local Vines Lafayette
Join us for an exclusive afternoon in the heart of the Lamorinda AVA as we open the cellar for a special vertical tasting. Castillo Vineyards is a boutique, family-owned estate specializing in small-lot production that celebrates unique East Bay terroir. This event is a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of these signature wines, hosted by Local Vines Lafayette.
This tasting offers a unique educational experience. Both the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Encore Rosé are crafted from the same Estate Cabernet blend, allowing you to taste two distinct expressions of a single grape from a single maker.
Experience a curated selection of library vintages and upcoming releases, including:
Note: While we are sharing these exclusive years today, the current standard menu features the ’22 Cabernet and ’23 Rosé.
To help you build your own home cellar, we are pleased to offer a 20% discount on all bottle purchases made during the event.
Come enjoy the artisanal spirit of Castillo Vineyards small production boutique wines.
We look forward to raising a glass with you!
Discover more at: local-vines.com and castillovineyards.com
