Carlos and Linda Chavez beamed at the rack of 44 wine barrels bearing their name inside a Healdsburg commercial winemaking facility. The building and its polished steel tanks felt a world away from the humble garage where Chavez Family Cellars officially began — and a universe away from Carlos’ war-torn childhood.

“It’s exciting to have your name on a barrel,” Carlos said, studying the French oak barrel filled with fermenting Cabernet Sauvignon.

In a nod to the importance of family, two of the couple’s wines bear the names of their daughters: Elsa’s Sauvignon Blanc and Carlin’s Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines have now won five gold medals at prestigious wine country competitions at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and the Press Democrat’s Wine Challenge.

“It’s exciting,” Carlos said. “Gol

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