Our Labels
The Jester
The Jester, an icon for reliable comedy during medieval times, is something that my dad wore as a pendant on his necklace. That pendant got passed down to me, and became a symbol to remember my dad by. The Jester being a small symbol for his personality, that highlighted his ability to be light hearted in the most serious of situations and silly in all moments. This wine is an attempt to capture his bubbly, bright, and confident character in bottle, thus the inspiration for The Jester.
This my dad and I at my 2nd birthday party where I learned how to devour a slice a of cake for the first time.
The Compass
The Compass is a portrayal of the pendant I designed after graduating college as a symbol of the sense of direction that I feel I have had throughout my life. No matter what I have been going through in life or decisions that lie ahead, I have always been able to find direction. Grenache was the direction in wine that kept me going, and the wine I’m making is an attempt at creating a wine similar to the single varietal Grenache’s that began this journey!
The Shirley Bird
My Grandma has had the nickname ‘Shirley Bird’ for longer than I can remember, and she is an elegant, dignified, and energetic woman whose poise is reminiscent of a hummingbird. She wears a necklace that resembles not just a bird, but all of her ‘baby birds’ flaunting it for all to see, just how a hummingbird may showcase their beautiful colors and iridescence. The hummingbird’s poise amidst the large world around it, showcases her ability to be a mom of two and a grandma to four. This wine’s elegant aromatics and energetic palate are attempt to capture her personality in a bottle.
This is my Grandma and I spending some quality time while out and about!
The Lion
My Papa wears a Leo pendant on his necklace, and has since his older brother gave it to him many years ago. That pendant for me was not the sign for a Leo, although he is, but a sign for the head of the family. The one who utilized sarcasm and witty demeanor, like a lion baring its teeth to show playful love to those around him. A lion has become a symbol I associate with my grandpa, and this wine attempts to capture his sarcasm with aromas of baking spices and his more inviting side with notes of savory meats.
This is my Papa carrying my on his shoulders at the Balboa Fun Zone, one of the places we frequently visited with my grandma and sister growing up!
My Roots
My family always encouraged me to ask questions; which led to the nosy question at the dinner table of "Can I try some of your wine?". After getting to try wine at the dinner table, it turned into opening bottles for the family. As I got into high school this spurred into the conversation of how could wine be incorporated into a future career. Which led to me starting at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a Wine and Viticulture major.
Once at Cal Poly, I focused on becoming an enologist (fancy for wine chemist) and after two full years at Cal Poly I decided it was time for my first harvest gig, which ended up being with Summerwood in Paso Robles, CA. My first chance getting to put my education to the test. After finishing harvest, I began working in the tasting room part time at Booker Wines because I didn’t want to miss a moment in the wine world until my graduation from Cal Poly in 2022.
From graduation I left for Europe, for a position at Röhrenbach Winzer am See located on the shores of Lake Constance in southern Germany. I got to learn from Matthias, Rebecca, and Patrick about what it takes to be a winemaker in a historic family run winery; from vineyard to bottle. They did all of this with family and their community at the heart of it all. Gathering family and friends from the area to work the vineyards and events throughout the year.
Then I was off to Australia. While down under I got the experience of working at Kilikanoon, a producer within the Clare Valley. In Aus I got the full experience; including the hi-vis clothing, catching kangaroos eating grapes, and working night shifts. This is where I got to see how even while working in a large production winery you can have small intimate touches with every single wine.
Now you’ll find me working in Paso Robles! Just like that I got settle into a work family at Aaron Wines in Tin City. Where I am working with wines that showcase the beauty of the multiple terroir’s encompassed across SLO County. At the moment I am acting Cellar Master, and this is where you can find me day in and day out working on wines and get to taste the fruits of my labor!