Element 79 Vineyards — A Love Story Written in Gold What if a love story could become a vineyard—and every bottle could carry a piece of a life built together? In this episode of Wine Soundtrack USA, host Allison Levine meets Les Heinsen of Element 79 Vineyards, and discovers a remarkable journey that began with two people from North Dakota who never imagined wine would one day become such an important part of their lives. Les and Sharon moved to California in 1991. What started with casual visits to Napa, Sonoma, and the Sierra Foothills gradually became a genuine passion. Tastings became collections, collections became a wine cellar, and eventually, with a group of friends, they began making wine themselves. Then, in 2016, everything changed. They found 70 acres of “Vines and Pines” in the Fair Play AVA, sitting at an extraordinary 2,400 feet of elevation. Thirty-two acres were planted to vines, surrounded by forest, meadows, natural habitat, and a seasonal stream. For Les and Sharon, it was love at first sight. That same year, after a 38-year career with Aflac, Les retired and devoted himself fully to the dream they had been building together. They called it Element 79—a name that connects California’s Gold Country with something even more personal: 1979, the year they married and the year Les began his career at Aflac. Today, Element 79 is a true estate wine destination, producing wines from its distinctive vineyards of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and other varieties. Its decomposed granite soils and high-elevation setting provide the foundation for wines deeply connected to their place. From the beautifully designed “urban rustic” tasting room to the 14,000-square-foot state-of-the-art production facility, every step reflects the same philosophy: build something authentic, personal, and made to last. Join Allison Levine and Les Heinsen for a conversation about love, retirement, risk, Gold Country, vineyards, and the courage to turn a passion into a legacy. Because at Element 79, you aren't simply visiting a winery. You are stepping into Les and Sharon’s story. Behind these conversations is Claudio Latagliata, Producer of Wine Soundtrack USA, bringing together the people and stories that make the American wine world so fascinating. And as “The Winery Fixer”, Claudio has a particular instinct for finding the personalities, journeys, and hidden stories behind the bottles—then putting them in front of Allison Levine and the Wine Soundtrack USA audience. Listen to Element 79 Vineyards with Les Heinsen—and discover a winery where gold isn't just part of California's history. It's part of the story.
