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Justin Mund, a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo has had a myriad of experience in winemaking from Sonoma County to the Central Coast, specializing in Pinot Noir. Prior to his work with Addamo Vineyards, he went from working with small production, boutique wineries to working at an award-winning, mass-producing, tri-label winery. His experiences at all levels have played an integral role in establishing his philosophy for winemaking at Addamo.
Addamo Estate Vineyards |
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Kenneth Volk's first professional winemaking experience was at nearby Edna Valley Vineyard, working "the crush," as harvest is known in the winegrape industry. The following year he convinced his family to back his plans for developing a vineyard. In 1981, Ken and the Volk family established Wild Horse Vineyard and constructed Wild Horse Winery. Over the next twenty-two years, production grew from 600 to 150,000 cases. In 2003 Ken sold Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards to Peak Wines International a division of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide.
In December of 2004, Ken purchased the "Original" Byron Winery facility from the Robert Mondavi Corporation and renamed the property Kenneth Volk Vineyards. The first wines were released in 2006. Aqua Pumpkin/Kenneth Volk Vineyards |
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Jonathan Nagy is Director of Winemaking at Byron Vineyards & Winery, a producer of handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, located in the Santa Maria Valley, California. Founding winemaker Byron "Ken" Brown, who taught and influenced many of the region's most notable winemakers, hand picked Jonathan for this role. Ken recognized Jonathan's highly-developed skill and his desire to make world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In this position, Jonathan is also the winemaker for Io, a Rhone-inspired blend and two vineyard designated Syrahs. Byron Vineyard & Winery & Io |
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Denise Shurtleff came to Cambria as the Assistant Winemaker in September of 1999. In May 2003, she was promoted to Winemaker and manages all wine production for the estate. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Food Administration from California State Polytechnic University. Denise is a natural, gentle leader and is touted for her incredible ability to pick out various aromas in wine.
Cambria Winery & Vineyard |
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Though born into a farming family, Gary Burk's first love was music. So after earning his business degree from Cal Poly, SLO, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a musician. During his time in LA, Gary’s father Ron Burk and Bob Espinola planted their 30 acre Gold Coast Vineyard. That is when Gary’s interest in grape growing and wine took off. He began selling Gold Coast grapes to winemakers from his LA base. In 1993, on a visit home to Santa Maria, Gary was fortunate enough to share a dinner with Au Bon Climat's Jim Clendenen and Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon. After that evening, Gary was hooked ... funny what a great glass of Meursault will do! In 1994 he was invited to work harvest at the Au Bon Climat/Qupe facility and was hired full time in 1995. He worked in production and marketing for ABC/Qupe until August of 2002 when he left to devote all of his time and energy to Costa De Oro. He made one barrel each of Gold Coast Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1994 and has increased production of the Costa de Oro label each year to the current level of 4,500 cases annually. He currently produces his wines at the Central Coast Wines Services facility in Santa Maria. Costa De Oro Winery & Gold Coast Marketplace |
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Norman Beko and his family founded Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard and Winery in 1988 with the purchase of 78 acres of prime Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His desire to give his wines the perfect environment for aging saw the completion of 6000 square feet of underground wine caves in 1996. The Tasting Room creates a lively arena for his passion for food and wine pairing. Week-ends will often find him bar-b-queing shrimp, sausages and various homegrown vegetables for visitors to the winery.
Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard & Winery |
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 Winemaker, Bill Wathen (right) Co-owner/Marketer Dick Dore (left) |
Bill Wathen after graduating, Cal Poly Universtiy with a Fruit Science major, worked for Santa Barbara County viticultural pioneers, Dale Hampton and Louie Lucas. In 1978, Bill became vineyard manager at Chalone Vineyard, where he was mentored by California wine pioneer and Chalone founder, Dick Graff. At Chalone is where Bill learned traditional French winemaking techniques. Graff’s influence inspires Bill’s minimalist winemaking philosophy.
Foxen Winery & Vineyard |
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Daniel Gehrs was contacted by Louis Lucas, a wine grape grower from whom Dan had purchased many of his grapes. Louis, having grown fine wine grapes in Santa Barbara County for over 30 years, was more than impressed with Dan's winemaking skills and reputation for excellence - and was especially impressed with Dan's understanding of the importance of careful vineyard practices in the production of fine wines. Consequently, Lucas and his partner, retired Judge Royce Lewellen, asked Dan to join them in creating Lucas & Lewellen wines. Since producing their first vintage together in 1999, they have continued to win numerous significant awards for the wines of Lucas and Lewellen.
Lucas & Lewellen |
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Ardison Phillips has a masterfully eclectic background that makes him a living icon on the central coast. He is an internationally collected and recognized artist. His artwork hangs in and is collected by major museums throughout the world. He studied art with some of the most important figures and teachers of the last hundred years, and his work spans a variety of styles from abstract, expressionist, figurative, representational, to completely and indescribably original. He has designed virtually all of the labels that adorn the bottles of the McKeon-Phillips wines, with the exception of two labels that have been designed by his son Bailey. Ardison developed his love of food and wine while touring Europe and discovered the magic of harmony balance that could be achieved in both the food and the wine when they were properly paired. He went on to open and run the West Hollywood landmark, The Studio Grill restaurant. For years this restaurant was one of the standard bearers of quality and innovation in cuisine, service and was repeatedly noted for its extensive wine list. At heart, Ardison is an educator, and when you visit the winery and the tasting room you will most often find him there, and you will note from its design, he encourages you to pull up a seat, get comfortable and enjoy and learn about the fruits of his labor McKeon-Phillips |
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Alec Franks came to Rancho Sisquoc in 1997 as the Assistant Winemaker. In 1999 he was promoted to Winemaker. He received his Fruit Science Degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Alec enjoys the hands on creativity that is involved working with the many different varietals grown on the Ranch. Alec, his wife Stacy and daughter Juliana reside on Rancho Sisquoc and much enjoy the tranquility.
Rancho Sisquoc Winery |
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Chuck Ortman is recognized as one of California’s most respected winemakers. His winemaking career extends over nearly 40 years, during which he cultivated his signature “Ortman style” of winemaking. Riverbench Vineyard & Winery |
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Luke Lindquist is winemaker for Tres Hermanas Vineyard & Winery.In 2007, the Tres Hermanas tasting room was opened to the public and the estate winemaking facility was built. Consultant winemaker, Bill Wathen from Foxen Vineyards, suggested Luke Lindquist would be the ideal candidate to become its full-time winemaker. Luke has an extraordinary pedigree. Not only is he a second generation winemaker, but his family are all winemakers in their own right. Luke's father is Bob Lindquist from Qupe, his brother is Ethan Lindquist who makes wines under the Ethan label and his stepmother Louisa makes wines under the Verdad label. Luke studied winemaking under the guidance of Fred Brander, undoubtedly, one of the leading winemakers in California. Luke also spent time studying winemaking in Europe. Tres Hermanas with Luke at the helm, is focused on the creation of fine French and Italian style wines using fruit from some of the leading vineyards on the Central Coast as well as from its own estate grown syrah. Tres Hermanas Vineyard & Winery |
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Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau
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[Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau].
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