Our Story
In the Beginning
In 2000, the Knutzons and Giniers joined together to pursue their vision of developing a vineyard in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. After months of property evaluation and soil testing, 40 acres of undeveloped ridge-top land along the Cosumnes River Valley were identified as prime vineyard land. Immediately, the planning began. Several years of research, education and a fact-finding trip to France laid the foundation for the operation while the infrastructure was developed. Roads were graded, wells drilled, and power pulled.
The vineyard was officially established in 2002. After clearing, ripping, and prepping the land, the first vines were planted. Syrah, a varietal originally grown in the Rhone Valley of France, was selected and the vines flourished. Construction of the winery began in early 2005. After months of hard work and hand-wringing, the facility turned operational mere days before the first harvest. The crush-pad canopy was erected the night before, in the dark, only a few hours before the first grapes were picked.