User:Rhertelendy/sandbox

Ralph Hertelendy is a young entrepreneur who fell in love with wine at a very early age. When Ralph was 5 years old in France, he tasted one of the best French Grand Crus, and remembered liking it not just for the flavor, but also because it brought friends and family together. After getting his business degree from the University of San Francisco, Ralph became a sommelier and worked for several wineries in the Napa Valley in sales, and as a winemaker’s assistant.

He made his first wine in his basement in 2006, and over the years he has refined his craft towards creating only top quality style wines. Being multilingual, he’s lived and traveled in France, Italy, and Spain to go on wine explorations in specific regions to further hone his craft and broaden his horizons. Besides world-travel, Ralph shares many other interests and passions as well; he is the director of his philanthropic organization (GRAMP), is a Realtor®, musician, sports fan, car enthusiast, and loves to stay active (fitness/snowboarding/wakeboarding) while seeking adventures around the world.

Ralph started his Napa Valley Hertelendy Vineyards winery in 2013, hired on Phillip Corallo-Titus as his wine-making consultant, and bought a small estate vineyard on the slopes of Howell Mountain (at 1365 feet). Throughout the years, they have received respectable accolades from some of the world's most influential wine critics. For instance, their 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon received 96 points by Robert Parker stating, "it is extra special", and their 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon received 96 points by both The Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck.

When Ralph tastes amazing wines, it moves his soul and sometimes gives him an epiphany on the meaning of life. When asked why he’s making small production, top quality wines, Ralph begins to say, “It’s a profound passion….”, but then asserts with a cheeky grin, “…plus, there’s just not enough mind-bending wines in this world.”