Carolyn Wente is the Chief Executive Officer of America's longest, continuously operated family-owned winery. Founded in 1883 by her grandfather, Carl H. Wente, Wente Family Estates now sustainably cultivates more than 3,000 acres in the Livermore Valley and Monterey County, California, and is ranked in winemaking production in the top 25 in California. The company was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Vineyard and Winery designation.

Carolyn oversees a company that encompasses the vineyards (where more than three dozen varieties of grapes are grown), tasting rooms (Wente Vineyards and Murrieta’s Well),  a gourmet restaurant (the Vineyard Table and Tasting Lounge), a catering service, a summer concert series, a Greg Norman-designed golf course (The Course at Wente Vineyards)—all nestled in the heart of the vineyard estate.  During her 40-year career at Wente, Carolyn helped create these experiences. In 2019, she was named Winery CEO of the Year by North Bay Business Journal. In 2011, Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and in 2020 she received the Grande Dame award from Les Dames d’Escoffier. 

Wente Family Estate wines are distributed throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries.  Carolyn says, “There are very few family businesses that survive past the third generation. I am proud to be a member of the fourth generation in a successful and growing family business in today’s competitive global environment.  It is very rewarding to see the fifth generation family embracing their legacy and taking on the stewardship of the business.”