CEOs turned vintners

Rutherford, California

Owner
Stuart Sloan, the former owner of supermarket chain QFC, spent years searching for the perfect plot of land in Napa Valley. Like the brains behind Ovid Napa Valley, Stuart has mastered the art of building hype by laying low: The estate is closed to the public, and the Web site basically consists of a FAQ.

Recent hit
Sloan's cult wines have garnered rave ratings from legendary wine critic Robert Parker, who granted the winery's 2002 blend a perfect score of 100. The 2004 release was priced at $325; Wine Spectator wrote in June that the 2003 blend was a better value.

NEXT: Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery