Intro

Harvest's Coolest Winemakers in California (2025) is a compilation of wineries and winemakers that any California wine enthusiast needs to know about. These are the producers that boutique wine merchants and operators (like Andy, Harvest Wine Shop's owner and wine buyer) consider essential to understanding California's modern wine scene, particularly among the best family-run wineries. Simply put, these are the wineries to know if you want to be a wine drinker who's truly in the know!

A word about California's wineries:

With just under 5,000 wineries in California, there's something for everyone. While a small number of large wineries produce the majority of wine sold nationwide and globally, the remaining 4,000+ small wineries make, comparatively, a minuscule amount. These smaller producers are the ones wine enthusiasts love, with compelling stories behind them and wines that are unique and evolving, while maintaining the winemaker's signature style. Finding a winery whose story and wines resonate with you allows you to follow their evolution and drink in their history over many years.

While large wineries often get criticized (sometimes unfairly) for making "plonk" (wine-geek speak for average wine) designed to taste consistent year after year, they've helped make wine ubiquitous worldwide while maintaining decent quality standards. As many merchants say, it's easy to make one barrel of excellent wine from a good vineyard; it's much harder to make 1,000 barrels of great wine consistently.

On winery sizes: 

Most wineries on this list are small to very small (1 to 50,000 cases annually), with a few medium producers (50,000 to 499,000 cases) and maybe one or two large ones. For reference: one barrel makes about 25 cases, so even a "small" winery at 2,000 barrels is producing quite a bit. Many below are actually "micro" wineries, producing less than 5,000 gallons (about 90 barrels) and often without their own vineyards.

Listed in no particular order, here is our list of the coolest winemakers in California (2025):

These are the Coolest Winemakers in California (2025)

Napa Valley

Source: NapaValley.wine

1. Realm Cellars (Winemaker: Benoit Touquette) - Through meticulous site selection and precision winemaking, Realm crafts single-vineyard Cabernets that showcase the nuanced terroir of Napa's finest vineyards, emphasizing elegance and site expression.
2. Matthiasson (Steve & Jill Matthiasson) - Leading Napa's sustainable farming movement while expanding the valley's horizons through Italian varieties alongside classical Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, demonstrating that innovation and tradition can coexist.
3. Mayacamas (Braiden Albrecht and Andy Erickson) - From their historic mountain estate, Mayacamas continues to craft age-worthy Cabernet and Chardonnay using traditional methods, proving that classic approaches still yield extraordinary results.
4. Massican (Dan Petroski) - Through Italian varieties, Petroski crafts mineral-driven whites that offer a compelling alternative vision for Napa Valley, emphasizing freshness and precision.
5. Ashes & Diamonds (Steve Matthiasson, Diana Snowden Seysses, Michael Cruse) - Reimagining Napa Valley through earlier harvesting and a return to pre-Parker elegance, this collaborative project showcases a fresher, more balanced style.
6. Keep Wines (Jack Roberts & Johanna Jensen) - Embracing the vigneron tradition, this duo personally oversees every aspect from vineyard to bottle, crafting mineral-driven wines from organic sites across Northern California with a focus on lesser-known varieties.

Sonoma Coast

Source: Marine Layer Wines

1. Hirsch Vineyards (Jasmine Hirsch) - A pioneer of extreme coastal viticulture, Hirsch helped establish the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, focusing on expressive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from their dramatic coastal site.
2. Occidental (Steve Kistler & Raymundo, Ruben, and Jose Abarca) - Dedicated to producing profound coastal Pinot Noir, this focused project represents the culmination of decades of winegrowing experience.
3. RAEN (Carlo & Dante Mondavi) - This next-generation project combines respect for nature with precise farming of prized coastal sites, creating limited bottlings that showcase both place and vintage.
4. Marine Layer Wines (Rob Fischer) - Driven by discovery and precision, Marine Layer combines sustainable farming and heritage clones to craft elegant, approachable wines that reflect their coastal origins.
5. LaRue (Katy Wilson) - From the western reaches of Sonoma Coast, LaRue crafts ultra-premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, now expanded to include cellar-worthy Bordeaux-inspired wines, all reflecting their distinctive origins.
6. Peay Vineyards (Nick and Andy Peay and Vanessa Wong) - Pioneers who established their remote 53-acre vineyard just four miles from the Pacific in 1995, crafting wines of refinement and complexity from one of California's coldest sites.
7. Littorai (Heidi & Ted Lemon) - Champions of extreme coastal viticulture and biodynamic farming, creating wines that prioritize elegance over power through minimal-intervention practices.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Source: Madson Wines

1. Rhys Vineyards (Jeff Brinkman) - Over fifteen years of dedicated exploration has led to seven distinctive estate vineyards, each selected for their unique soils and cool coastal influence, producing singular expressions of place.
2. Mount Eden Vineyards/Domaine Eden (Reid Patterson & Austin Chin) - From their historic 2000-foot elevation estate, they maintain California's longest lineage of estate-bottled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, consistently producing world-class wines from their austere mountain site.
3. Madson Wines (Cole Thomas) - Embracing natural winemaking through native fermentations and vineyard-initiated pied de cuves, creating wines that showcase the complexity of their origins.
4. Farm Cottage Wines (Ryan Alfaro) - A rising star since 2019, Ryan draws on his lifelong experience growing up in his family's Santa Cruz Mountains vineyard to craft internationally recognized wines.

Santa Barbara County

Source: Piedrasassi, Sashi Moorman

1. Domaine de la Côte/Sandhi/Piedrasassi (Founded by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman) - A triumvirate of projects exploring cool-climate viticulture through Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
2. A Tribute to Grace (Angela Osborne) - Dedicated to exploring single-vineyard Grenache expressions across Santa Barbara, including a masterful multi-vineyard blend that defines value in California Grenache.
3. The Language of Yes (Randall Grahm) - Reimagining Rhône varieties through a California lens, seeking to discover rather than create complexity in vineyard and cellar.
4. Outward Wines (Natalie Siddique and Ryan Pace) - These mountaineering winemakers craft small-lot wines that showcase Central Coast terroir diversity, with labels as artistic as their wines.

Sierra Foothills

Source: Merchants of Thirst

1. La Clarine Farm (Hank Beckmeyer) - Since 2007, creating thoughtfully minimal intervention wines that express pure vineyard character through organic farming and simple, additive-free winemaking.
2. Terre Rouge and Easton Wines (Bill Easton) - A Rhône Ranger pioneer bringing French-inspired élevage to Sierra Foothills Rhône varieties, alongside regional stars like old-vine Zinfandel and Barbera.
3. Newfound (Matt & Audra Naumann) - Taking a humble, nature-led approach to farming and winemaking, creating authentic wines that embrace their natural rugged character.

Mendocino/Anderson Valley

Source: Skurnik Wines

1. Pax Mahle - A pioneer of cool-climate Syrah and minimal intervention winemaking, establishing new benchmarks for California's cool-climate regions.
2. Martha Stoumen - Reviving forgotten varieties through natural winemaking practices, emphasizing patience and traditional methods.

Central Coast

Source: Lady of the Sunshine

1. Lady of the Sunshine (Gina Giugni) - Since 2017, creating playful, fresh wines through biodynamic farming and additive-free winemaking in Edna Valley.
2. Scar of the Sea (Mikey Giugni) - Crafting wines and ciders that narrate the Central Coast's story through diverse varieties including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Grenache, Gamay and Pinot Gris, each telling a unique story of place and vintage.
3. Tatomer (Graham Tatomer) - California's leading voice for Austrian varieties, specializing in bone-dry Riesling and Grüner Veltliner since 2008, now producing 4,100 cases annually while continuing to explore new Central Coast terroirs.

Heritage Vineyards Specialists

Source: Ridge

1. Sandlands (Tegan Passalacqua) - Championing forgotten varieties from historic vineyards, crafting exceptional wines from organically farmed, dry-farmed old vines in sandy soils across Lodi, Contra Costa County, and Amador County.
2. Bedrock Wine Co. (Morgan Twain-Peterson, MW) - From humble beginnings in a converted chicken coop to today's established operation, Bedrock focuses on personality-driven wines from thoughtfully farmed vineyards, preserving California's viticultural heritage.
3. Carlisle Winery (Mike Officer) - Dedicated to documenting and preserving California's historic old-vine sites while producing wines that honor their legacy.
4. Ridge Vineyards (Jon Olney, Shauna Rosenblum, Michael Bairdsmith) - Since 1962, championing single-vineyard winemaking and site-specific expression across California, while expanding beyond their famous Monte Bello Cabernet and Zinfandel to include varieties like Grenache Blanc.
5. Turley Wine Cellars (Tegan Passalacqua, Karl Wicka, Nick Finarelli, Mike Scheiffer) - A guardian of California's viticultural heritage, producing 50 distinct wines from over 50 vineyards, specializing in Zinfandel and Petite Syrah from historic sites dating to the 1800s.

Urban Wineries

Source: VisitBerkeley.com

1. Broc Cellars (Chris Brockway) - Creating refreshing, approachable wines through native fermentations and organic viticulture from their Berkeley base, emphasizing everyday drinkability without compromising character.
2. Margins Wine (Megan Bell) - Working with over 15 different grape varieties from Sagrantino to Assyrtiko, crafting low-intervention wines from organic vineyards with minimal additives and no temperature control or filtration.

Alternative Varieties & Natural Wine

Source: Rootdown Wine Cellars

1. Jolie-Laide (Scott Schultz) - Pushing boundaries with overlooked varieties through minimal intervention, whole-cluster fermentation, and native yeasts, creating unconventionally beautiful wines from Sonoma County.
2. Forlorn Hope (Matthew Rorick) - Named for the Dutch 'verloren hoop,' this project champions the underdog, exploring forgotten varieties and challenging conventional wisdom from their Sierra Foothills limestone soils.
3. Rootdown Wine Cellars (Mike Lucia) - From Cole Ranch, California's smallest AVA, crafting distinctive expressions of Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a focus on soil-driven character.
4. Ryme Cellars (Ryan & Megan Glaab) - Starting with just one ton of Aglianico in 2007, evolved to embrace both Italian varieties and classic Sonoma County sites, creating an intriguing portfolio of wines.
5. Arnot-Roberts (Duncan Arnot Meyers & Nathan Roberts) - Seeking out distinctive terroirs across Northern California, from Napa Valley to the Sierra Foothills, to produce site-driven wines that highlight California's diverse growing regions.
6. Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! (Hardy Wallace) - Creating wines that transcend conventional boundaries, balancing natural wine principles with luxury appeal.

Emerging Producers

Source: Guthrie Family Wines

1. Birdhorse Wines (Katie Rouse, Corinne Rich & Tyler Ernst) - Championing diversity in California wine through scientific rigor and transparency, highlighting underrepresented regions, varieties, and voices in the industry.
2. Guthrie Family Wines (Blair & Caroline Guthrie) - Creating energetic, site-driven wines through responsible farming and traditional winemaking with modern polish.
3. Maitre de Chai (Marty Winters and Alex Pitts) - Focusing on high-quality, distinctive single vineyards across California, crafting wines that authentically reflect their origins through minimal intervention.
4. Cruse Wine Co. (Michael Cruse) - Revolutionizing American sparkling wine from their Petaluma base while exploring the boundaries of California wine.
5. Lioco (Matt Licklider & Kevin O'Connor) - Exploring the finest vineyard sites from Mendocino to Santa Cruz, crafting wines that tell distinct stories of place and time.
6. Isa Wines (Isabella Morano) - Leading California's new wave with innovative approaches to classics, including standout Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, white Merlot, and Mataro.
7. Racines Wine (Justin Willet) - A Franco-American collaboration bringing centuries of Burgundian and Champagne expertise to the Sta. Rita Hills, crafting pure expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
8. Orixe Sotelo (Gustavo & Jackie Sotelo) - Drawing on their Galician heritage to pioneer Spanish varieties in California, leading a renaissance in the cultivation and expression of these grapes in the state.