Shake Ridge Ranch in all its glory

Throughout the world of wine, certain vineyards become legendary. Some because they are synonymous (or even eponymous) with legendary producers who often have owned the entire vineyard for generations. Other vineyards, however, achieve their renown in the space of a single lifetime through (and sometimes because of) the many producers who return year after year to make wine from what they believe to be a superior site.

In California, well-known vineyard names such as Bien Nacido, Sangiacomo, Hudson and Rochioli have all passed from simple name...