Tor Kenward Family Wines, known widely as TOR Wines, represents the culmination of nearly five decades of passion and expertise in the Napa Valley. Founded in 2001 by Tor and Susan Kenward, the winery reflects a meticulous dedication to creating wines that celebrate the valley’s most esteemed vineyards and grape varietals, particularly single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. Tor, with a storied career spanning 26 years at Beringer Vineyards, draws from a lifetime of learning under luminaries such as Robert Mondavi and André Tchelistcheff and decades spent exploring the terroirs of Napa and beyond. Inspired by the great producers of Burgundy, Tor has modeled his approach on crafting small, vineyard-focused wines that eloquently express their origins.
Jeff Ames, TOR’s winemaker since the winery’s inception, brings a hands-on, purist philosophy to his craft. Learning in the field rather than through formal study, Jeff honed his skills under his mentor, Thomas Rivers Brown, while contributing to celebrated labels such as Schrader, Maybach, and Outpost. His intuitive understanding of vineyard expression, coupled with an approach emphasizing unfiltered, unfined wines, ensures that every bottle showcases the unique character of its source. This commitment has helped TOR Wines achieve critical acclaim year after year, with multiple vintages earning rare 100-point scores from leading wine critics.
Tor Kenward’s storied history with the Napa Valley extends beyond winemaking, encompassing a lifetime spent advocating for its agricultural soul. Partnering with vineyard legends like Andy Beckstoffer, TOR Wines works exclusively with small, family-owned vineyards in coveted sites such as Beckstoffer To Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch, and Melanson Vineyard on Pritchard Hill. The winery’s chardonnay program, anchored by historic blocks of Wente clones at Hyde and Beresini vineyards in Carneros, reflects the same focus on precision and authenticity. These relationships, built on decades of trust, grant access to extraordinary fruit and form the backbone of TOR’s revered portfolio.
TOR Wines has also garnered attention for its “Magic Wines,” highly experimental and limited releases that showcase exceptional barrels or co-ferments, such as the trailblazing “Black Magic” Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines, often born from bold, risk-taking decisions, reflect the creative vision of Tor and his team. For example, the 2018 Black Magic, which includes co-fermented Petit Verdot, received four 100-point scores, highlighting the team’s willingness to embrace unconventional approaches in pursuit of greatness.
Today, Tor and Susan Kenward remain at the helm of their eponymous winery, working alongside Associate Winemaker Patricio Paso Viola, a Mendoza native whose global winemaking journey led him to settle in Napa Valley. Together, they form a dynamic team deeply committed to the artistry and craft of winemaking. Each bottle of TOR wine reflects not only the distinctive qualities of Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyards but also a philosophy of thoughtful stewardship and the celebration of a shared vision among vineyard partners, winemakers, and collectors.
