Why family vineyards have always dominated the wine scene – and always will

Do families make better wines? It’s a romantic notion and one that mom-and-pop producers – many of whom like to peddle the notion that they’re in a David-and-Goliath battle with Grape Giants shilling nothing but soulless plonk – would like us to swallow. I can’t count the number of labels out there touting their “family wine estate” status. But hold on. What’s special about that? Families have always dominated the wine industry. They always will; I’ll bet my family cellar on it.