Arkenstone Vineyards on Howell Mountain has been a long-time labor of love for Ron and Susan Krausz. The couple bought 42 acres of pastureland and undeveloped hillside in 1988 without any particular plans to grow grapes. But surrounded by grape growers and winemakers, they eventually had the site analyzed for its grape growing potential by Philippe Melka, a legendary winemaker and viticulturalist. Melka was impressed, and the first vineyards were planted in 1998. The 13 acres of vineyards were planted to red and white Bordeaux grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. There also is a small amount of Syrah. Arkenstone’s first commercial release was the 2006 vintage and today the winery makes premium red, white and rosé wines. Sam Kaplan is winemaker and general manager. Arkenstone produces about 1,800 cases a year. The winery also produces a portfolio of wines from non-estate grapes that come from nearby vineyards situated at about the same 1,400 – 1,650-foot elevation as Arkenstone. The winery calls these non-estate wines its NVD, or Native Vista Domaine wines. The name of the winery comes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, in which the “Arkenstone” is a gem representing all that is precious.