2025 Wineries

Luna Hart Wines

2825 Tapadero Road, Solvang CA 93463
lunahartwines.com

Region: Santa Barbara County

Owner: Gretchen Voelcker

Winemaker: Gretchen Voelcker

About: At the heart of Luna Hart’s philosophy is a commitment to vineyards practicing sustainable, organic, or biodynamic farming throughout the enchanting landscapes of Santa Barbara County. Gretchen’s vision is to create wines that resonate with the very soul of the grapes—their origin, vintage, and variety—a true reflection of the terroir. Immerse yourself in the meticulous process where Gretchen’s careful attention to the fruit in the vineyard and daily tastings during fermentation result in high-quality, fruit-forward wines. Luna Hart’s creations are characterized by bright acidity and a delicate balance, held together by an incredible structure that speaks to the harmony between nature and craftsmanship.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Grüner Veltliner! It’s so versatile and food-friendly. It’s a really fun grape to work with and truly showcases site specificity in a gorgeous way. We craft it in both a still and sparkling style and it’s also really amazing to see it in both styles.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? I fell in love with Grüner in the vineyard. It’s long and gangly, and the flavors in the fruit stunned me. I couldn’t wait to work with it in the winery. When I had an opportunity to work with it for Luna Hart I jumped on it. It’s become a staple for the brand and I’m so thrilled.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? We love educating people about our wines and the grapes we work with. The undiscovered grapes are such a fun way to share something completely new with our guests and we love surprising them.

Marbeso

65 Los Padres Way. Buellton, CA
marbesowine.com

Region: Santa Barbara County

Owners: Colin & Hannah McNany

Winemaker: Colin McNany

About: Marbeso is a small boutique winery based out of Buellton producing cool-climate wines in close proximity to the ocean. Sourcing organically farmed grapes from Santa Barbara & Santa Cruz Mtns., Marbeso was founded in 2019 by husband & wife duo Colin & Hannah McNany. After 15 years of making wines in Santa Cruz Mtns, they moved down South to launch the business with the intention of making delicious, lower alcohol acid driven wines that they love to drink.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Aligote

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Working with Pedro Ximenez out of the Cuyama Valley.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They are just as delicious if not more than the standard varietals you commonly see around. When you expose yourself and others to these grape varietals, you are opening the minds of people who least expect it and therefore are changed for the better.

Native Bloom Winery

4517 Market St Ste 7, Ventura, CA 93003
nativebloomwinery.com

Region: Ventura County

Owners: Natalie and William Albertson

Winemaker: Natalie Albertson

About: Founded in 2020, Native Bloom Winery offers low-intervention and natural wines crafted from the premium grapes of California’s Central Coast and Los Angeles County. Embracing a minimalist philosophy, owner Natalie Albertson produces elegant, terroir-driven wines, fermented with native yeasts, using stainless steel and neutral oak aging vessels and are unfined and unfiltered. After living in Sicily for several years, Natalie was inspired by European traditions and brings a fresh, artisanal touch to her wines and tasting room located in Ventura, CA. 

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Cinsault

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? I’ve always loved Viognier, whether from France or California.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They are interesting, usually small lots, and provide a teaching moment with the consumer. Customers who have tried an undiscovered grape usually light up with recognition when seeing the unique varietals.

Orange Boots Wine

330 Zachary St, Unit 108, Moorpark, Ca 93021
Orangebootswine.com

Region: Ventura County

Owner: Felecia Hodges

Winemaker: Felecia Hodges

About: What started in 2009 as a home-winemaking endeavor with the possibility of moving to South Africa and becoming involved in the wine industry has gradually grown into Orange Boots Wine. Felecia is a Los Angeles-based winemaker crafting 100% hands-on, small batch, minimum intervention, or as she prefers to label them “Personal” California wines. Orange Boots Wine focuses on obscure varietals, such as Tannat, Negroamaro, Aglianico, Arneis and others sourced from vineyards in Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, and as far north as Mendocino. The name Orange Boots refers to Felecia’s orange Hunter boots that are worn when she’s in the winery, vineyards and out and about… There’s always more to the story, enquire when you’re tasting at her space.

What is your favorite undiscovered  grape? Tannat

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? As a home winemaker, I decided to venture from Merlot to Sangiovese and Malbec. I was mesmerized at their complexity and finish. Most importantly I was pleased that I was able to create two amazing wines that rendered the applause from a few wine professionals.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? For the winemaker, the grape does not allow complacency, you need to have a plan. For the public, they don’t know what they’re getting, however they do know it will not fall within the lines of mediocrity and normalcy. I love ones’ expression when tasting an undiscovered grape for the first time.