Arkenstone is the Howell Mountain estate of Ron and Susan Krausz, who bought more than 40 acres on the mountain in 1988 and spent a decade preparing the land before planting their first vines in 1998. The first vintage followed in 2006, and the winery was completed in 2008. The vineyard sits on the western slopes of Howell Mountain near Angwin, at about 1,400 to 1,600 feet, with 13 acres farmed across 22 small blocks so each section can be picked and made separately. Winemaker Sam Kaplan leads the cellar. The flagship is the Estate Red, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend originally called Obsidian, and the estate is also known for a mountain-grown Sauvignon Blanc. Arkenstone's roughly 25,000 square foot cave is large enough that parts of it are rented to other small premium producers. Production is small and mostly sold direct, so Arkenstone is a find for readers who want true Howell Mountain estate wine.