Behind every compelling vineyard are great people and committed farmers. I am fortunate to work with outstanding vineyards, great farmers, and friends who share my love and passion for what we do daily.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Montecillo Vineyard
Moon Mountain, Sonoma County
Scaling the greatest heights of the Mayacamas Mountains, these dry-farmed Cabernet Sauvignon vines, planted in 1964, are anchored deep in the fractured, red, volcanic soil. The sculptured vines have been carefully watched over for over forty years by the irrepressible Chuy Ordaz.
Montecillo Vineyard is owned by the Lee family. Grape growing and winemaking pioneers in Sonoma County, the Lee’s founded Kenwood Winery in 1970.
Heritage grapevine selections, along with their wise age and thirsty roots produce a concentrated yield of intensely flavored and aromatic grapes and wine.
I’m privileged to work with the Lees and Chuy in making wine from this site.
Chardonnay
Soberanes Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands
Nestled just on the other side of the Monterey Bay along the foundation of the Santa Lucia Mountains, we’ll find these Chardonnay vines expressing the granitic rock and soil of the highlands, along with the refreshing marine influence of the bay. The heritage selections of Chardonnay, not clones, keep low yields, concentrating the wine and enriching the palate while maintaining a crisp and juicy freshness in the wine.
The vines are impeccably hand tended to by the Pisoni and Franscioni families, grape growing mavericks in the Santa Lucia Highlands. The Pisoni family were one of the first grape growers I met when I first moved to Sonoma County to make wine in 2002. Little did I know then, they’d become dear friends and associates in my pursuits.
I’m honored to work with these two families and growers.