Charles Smith was born and raised an hour from Napa Valley, CA, but didn’t discover his love for wine until he moved to Europe. While living abroad, he managed a number of rock bands, including the famed Danish duo “The Raveonettes”. It was the wining and dining of a rock n’roll life on the road that sparked Charles’ passion for great wine.

In 1999, while on a road trip to Walla Walla, WA, Charles met a winemaker who convinced him to start making his own wine, true to his own story and vision. And in 2001, Charles released 330 cases of his first vintage. Eight years later, he would be named Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine magazine and again in 2014, by Wine Enthusiast.

While K Vintners produces some outstanding bottles (The Beautiful and Milbrandt Syrah), it’s The Hidden that stole 2016.

JD 99 Points
Beautiful notes of dark fruits, damp earth, iron, and crushed rocks as well as ground pepper all emerge from this full-bodied effort that has no hard edges, a terrific mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a finish that goes on for over a minute

WA 96 Points
The nose of the 2016 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard offers a round, open-knit and voluptuous expression of dark red and black fruit characteristics-dusty plum skin, blackberry jus and cherry compote-over a wet rock minerality and savory black spices with hints of sweet oak. Full-bodied, the palate is generous …. It will be a lucky day if you add any of the 684-case production to your cellar.