Enjoy the Range of 689 Cellars Wines at VanWineFest 2025

California’s 689 Cellars offers a variety of wines for different classes of wine drinkers, from casual to serious. Here is some background information from the winery and the wines they will be pouring at VanWineFest 2025.

About 689 Cellars

Curtis McBride is the owner and founder of 689 Cellars and Premier Wine Group. Curtis founded Premier Wine Group over 20 years ago, working with some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries, helping them market and position wines into international markets. 689 Cellars collaborates with vineyard partners to produce exceptional wines to be enjoyed with our family and friends. They produce crowd-pleasing, fruit-forward wines that are exceptional and accessible.

In 2008 Curtis founded 689 Cellars, producing the first vintage of the 689 Red wine, which became widely successful being sold in over 25 countries. Under the 689 family of wines, Curtis has created and developed numerous brands, including SUBMISSION, Killer Drop, Devils Candy, The Hype and Lucky Draw. His vision and passion for producing crowd-pleasing wines continues, with a number of new projects in the works.

Brand Values

Every Bottle Tells a Story.

From the names to the labels to the wines themselves, every 689 Cellars creation is inspired by shared stories, epic experiences, and memories yet to be made.

Always Over-Deliver.

Expectations are like wine glasses – they’re meant to be raised. We live for that moment after the first sip when someone’s eyes light up and they realize they’ve just uncorked a wine that’s better than they expected.

Trust Your People.

Our approach to winemaking is simple: hire good people who want to make great wine and give them to tools and the space to get it done.

Find the Fun.

Life’s too short to take things too seriously. We work hard and hold ourselves to the highest standards, but we always find ways to have a good time doing it.

Our Wine Brands at VanWineFest 2025

We will be showcasing the following 689 Cellars brands:

Six Eight Nine: 689 is a toast in every bottle to your long life and many blessings. Pop a cork on these tried-and-true wines and enter the world of exceptional craftsmanship with the same legendary forces that inspired our founders to create our wines in the first place.

Killer Drop: It’s time to drop into it with a reckless abandon that’s exhilarating, spontaneous, and fulfilling. Drinking Killer Drop exalts and celebrates the moments in life like this, when you’re on the precipice of something great and all you need to do is drop right in.

Submission: Sometimes — sometimes — you have to give a little to get ahead. Sometimes you have to submit to the man. But when you do, do it on your terms, with class and while having fun. Submission was created just for those times.

The Wines We Will Feature at the International Festival Tasting Room

Lineup of 689 Cellars Wines poured at the International Festival Tasting Room

Submission California Chardonnay 2023 – 100% Chardonnay aged 9 months in 75% stainless steel and 25% new French Oak. Our California Chardonnay features grapes from vineyards in the cool coastal regions surrounding the San Francisco Bay. The 2023 vintage is bright and crisp on the palate, with refreshing notes of orange citrus and grapefruit balanced by touches of peach blossom and toasted almond. This medium- to full-bodied chardonnay is the perfect combination of acidity and minerality, with subtle tropical and floral notes leading to an elegant and refreshing finish.

689 California Red 2022 – A blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, aged 12 months in 25% new French Oak. The 2022 growing season started with ideal conditions. However, a Labor Day heat wave split the harvest season into earlier and later picks for many of the state’s wine regions. While the strain on the grapes caused lower yields than expected, it also produced memorable wines of exceptional concentration and complexity. This year’s release bursts out of the glass with rich aromas of ripe wild berries. Plush notes of blackberry, cherry, and a touch of chocolate tantalize the palate, while hints of oak, spice, and licorice provide a finish with depth, balance, and soft tannins.

Killer Drop California Red 2021 – A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah aged 12 months in 25% new French Oak. California’s 2021 wine grape harvest was the second-smallest of the decade. Despite reduced yields, the harvest was successful, with high fruit quality in smaller quantities. The long growing season and water scarcity concentrated the grapes while preserving their acidity and aromatics. This dark and luscious blend jumps out of the glass with the aroma of chocolate-covered berries and stone fruit, as well as hints of dried herbs, spice, and new leather. Medium- to full-bodied, Killer Drop is pure on the palate with pleasing firmness. Lush and silky with a touch of smokiness, the balanced tannins lead to a long and smooth finish.

Submission California Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Our Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the award-winning Cabernet regions of Sonoma, Napa, Lodi, and Mendocino. Our 2021 vintage is deep ruby-purple in color with abundant aromas of blueberry, cassis, and dark chocolate. Juicy layers of dark fruit blend effortlessly with rich aromas of seasoned oak. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, with an unquestioned freshness and soft, velvety texture followed by a delicate, sensuous finish that invites you to give in and enjoy every sip.

Submission California Pinot Noir 2021 – This Pinot Noir is aged 10 months in 20% new French Oak. Our Pinot Noir is proudly crafted with fruit from some of California’s finest Pinot Noir regions, including Monterey, Sonoma, and Mendocino. This year’s Pinot Noir is truly a best buy. Delicate, elegant, and easy-drinking, this wine highlights bright red fruit, cherries, pomegranate, and cranberries, alongside more complex notes of lavender and vanilla. Full and firm on the palate, this irresistible Pinot features soft tannins that highlight subtle earth notes in the finish.