So...I visited SUMMERS ESTATE yesterday on my bicycle ride. Sadly, the entertaining kid from Arkansas has left, but still a very nice place.
Anyway, the story is that the Summers met their winemaker, Ignacio, who hails from Michocacan, 18 years ago. They were so impressed that they paid for his college degree, and he and his brothers have been the winemaking crew ever since!
Now Calistoga is HOT, but these are quite elegant, In Pursuit of Balance wines, IMO. The biggest wine was the 2010 Reserve Merlot, which had plenty of fruit but also some refreshing acidity! The 2011 Estate Cab was likewise deliciously fresh, with that hint of "green" that I like. Even the Zinfandel was very quaffable-juicy and plenty of acidity and brilliant berry fruit.
Nice stuff!