2027 Wineries Los Angeles

09 Sep Alamati Wine

Posted at 20:31h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, Wineries

Alamati Wine

90 Easy Street, Buellton CA, 93427
alamatiwine.com

Region: Santa Barbara County

Owners: Cooper Allebrand and Niko Comati

Winemakers: Cooper Allebrand and Niko Comati

About: Alamati is a shared project by two best friends and local Santa Barbara winemakers. Cooper Allebrand and Niko Comati both work as assistant winemakers for prominent wineries in Santa Barbara. We both grew up together in Santa Barbara and started Alamati out of a shared passion for wine, food, and our local community. Santa Barbara County’s uniquely diverse growing regions allow us to work with the grape varieties we love without compromising quality. Lesser-known grapes that began as an experiment for us have become a crucial aspect of our project’s identity. Our goal is to make delicious wines while also working to support and build relationships with local artists, chefs, and musicians. The name Alamati is a blend of our two last names and is a representation of our friendship and 50/50 share of both business and winemaking.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? We started our project out of love for Nebbiolo. While Nebbiolo is not “undiscovered” by any means worldwide, it is not an easy variety to find in Santa Barbara. Our experience with it has shown that it grows beautifully here. Niko was fortunate to be able to work a harvest in Piemonte and brought back a firsthand knowledge of how classic producers make it. Working with Nebbiolo also led us to add Dolcetto to our collection, which has become one of our favorites as a perfect complement to go along with our Nebbiolo. Dolcetto also probably fits the “undiscovered” label better.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Dolcetto was the grape we discovered at the start of our project. The grower we work with recommended adding it to our program due to the fact that Nebbiolo needs much more time in barrel for aging. Dolcetto has become our everyday drinker. It needs very little aging time and jumps out of the glass in terms of fruit and energy. It is a fan favorite and something that is very versatile in terms of food pairing as well.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes?

01 Jan Anaya Vineyards

Posted at 02:09h in 2025 Wineries, 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Anaya Vineyards

21 E. Elm Street, Lodi CA 95240
anayavineyards.com

Region: Lodi

Owner: Gerardo Espinosa

Winemaker: Gerardo Espinosa

About: Anaya Vineyards, established in 1944 by Victor Anaya in Clements Hills, California, thrives under the guidance of his grandson, Gerardo Espinosa. Known for crafting low-intervention wines, Gerardo blends tradition with modern enology to create estate-grown wines. The first commercial release, “Vinedos Aurora,” was launched in 2007 after years of dedication. Anaya’s wines, from robust Cabernet Sauvignon to delicate skin contact Pinot Gris, exemplify elegance with minimalistic, architecturally inspired labeling. Gerardo’s commitment to quality ensures every bottle offers a premium experience. Salud!

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Nebbiolo

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Nebbiolo. I was not sure how it would grow in Lodi, but I am growing it in Clements Hills.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They are beautiful wines, fruit-forward with high acids.

20 Jan Andis Wines & Painted Fields

Posted at 22:26h in 2025 Wineries, 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Andis Wines & Painted Fields

11000 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA 95669
andiswines.com

Region: Sierra Foothills

Owner: Janis Akuna, Andy Friedlander, Lorenzo Muslia & Jenae Plasse

Winemaker: Mark Fowler, Lorenzo Muslia + Philippe Melka (as a consultant)

About: Andy and Janis, their two names, combine to create ANDIS. As husband and wife and avid wine enthusiasts, they founded Andis in 2009 to produce world-class wines that express the pure uniqueness of the Sierra Foothills’ soils while maintaining sustainability and environmental commitments. The solar-powered winery includes a spacious tasting room and an outdoor patio area with panoramic views. The Estate Vineyard, a testament to their commitment to quality, was planted in the 1970s at an elevation of 1560 ft. It spans over 20 acres and is home to a variety of grapes; Sauvignon Blanc, Barbera, Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and old vine Zinfandel. They also source additional fruit from some of the most esteemed vineyards in the region, ensuring the exceptional quality of our wines.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Semillon, because we rescued this vineyard from re-planting.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? When I moved to California from Italy, I discovered so many of them planted by mistake, or by passion.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? They embody the exploration and dynamism of the wine world!

24 Oct AVIVO Wines

Posted at 16:58h in 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2027, Wineries

AVIVO Wines

20 Mill Street, Healdsburg CA 95448
AVIVOwines.com

Region: Lodi

Owner: Ridgely Evers

Winemaker: Daniel Fitzgerald

About: AVIVO began with an ambition to help reshape California wine by making delicious, thoughtfully grown wines that belong on an everyday dinner table. We grow Sangiovese and Vermentino in Lodi, where these Italian varieties feel right at home in California’s Mediterranean climate. Our commitment to regenerative farming starts with certified organic grapes and carries through to winemaking with minimal intervention, letting the fruit speak for itself. We’re excited to share that spirit of discovery at the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes and help you find a new favorite to bring home for dinner.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Sangiovese gets our vote. We love its versatility, from a fresh rosé to a red with bright fruit and lively acidity. It’s a grape with a long history at the dinner table, and we’re excited to give it a place at yours.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? In 1999, our co-founder Ridgely Evers discovered the Italian grape Sagrantino after being offered a 1994 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco. He hadn’t planned to enter the wine business, but one glass inspired him to plant the grape at his farm in Healdsburg, CA. That discovery began an exploration of Italian varieties in California that helped shape AVIVO and our farming philosophy.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? We love how they expand the possibilities for California wine, especially given the impacts of climate change. There’s so much flavor and history to explore, and varieties like Sangiovese and Vermentino show what can happen when the grape fits the place. The best part is opening a new bottle with someone and discovering a new favorite together.

02 Apr Cairjn Wine Cellars

Posted at 19:19h in 2024 Wineries, 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Cairjn Wine Cellars

2323 Tuley Road, Unit 120 Paso Robles, CA 93446
cairjnwinecellars.com

Region: Paso Robles

Owner: Andy & Michele Neja

Winemaker: Andy Neja

About: Derived from the word, “cairn” which means “a heap of stones piled up as a memorial or as a landmark.” Our founder, Andy Neja, chose this name as a tribute to his family’s farming legacy and as a nod to the limestone-rich terrain of West Paso, where our vineyards are located.

It requires hard work and dedication to make wine, and at Cairjn, we have a deep respect for the men and women who work tirelessly to bring each vintage to fruition. That’s why we honor their efforts by staying true to our commitment to quality and sustainability.

Now producing 800 cases annually, our portfolio of wines reflects our commitment to quality and sustainability. Our dream is to provide our customers with a truly unique wine experience. Join us on this journey as we build a landmark wine for Paso Robles.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Albariño

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? I tasted Albariño early on in my wine journey and I fell in love with its freshness and wonderful floral and citrus characters.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? Their uniqueness and pouring them for people that have never heard of them and watching their enjoyment of this new variety.

13 Oct Cary Q Wines

Posted at 22:37h in 2025 Wineries, 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, Wineries

Cary Q Wines

1160 Hopper Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
www.caryqwines.com

Region: Santa Rosa

Owner/Winemaker: Cary Quintana

About: Cary Q Wines was founded in 2014 and stands as a proud, woman-owned and operated winery dedicated to the art of minimal intervention winemaking. With a passion for single vineyard varietals, I partner with organic and sustainably farmed vineyards to create wines that are environmentally clean and express the essence of their origins. My philosophy focuses on showcasing unique microclimates and site-specific grape varietals that often play supporting roles in traditional blends but deserve their moment to shine. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, with Cuban heritage, I pursued my passion for winemaking by moving to Northern California in 2013. As a self-taught winemaker and alumna of the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Winemaking certification program, I released my first vintage in 2014—a co-fermented Grenache/Mourvedre crafted from organically farmed Sonoma Coast fruit. In the cellar, my low-intervention approach embraces natural acidity, wild fermentation, non-interventionist aging, limited manipulation, and being sensorily vigilant ensuring that each vintage captures pure, vibrant varietal expressions. Inspired by each vintage and varietal, my aging vessels include concrete, stainless steel, and at times neutral French oak puncheons.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Cinsault

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Mourvedre

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? How versatile they can be.

27 Feb Crocker & Starr Winery

Posted at 05:56h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2026, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Crocker & Starr Winery

700 Dowdell Lane, Saint Helena, CA 94574
crockerstarr.com

Region: Napa Valley

Owner: Pam Starr

Winemaker: Julie Robertson

About: Founded in 1997, Crocker & Starr Winery has grown from a visionary partnership into a thriving, values-driven team with more than 30 years of history in crafting exceptional wines and memorable experiences. What began with founders Pam Starr and Charlie Crocker evolved into a modern estate rooted in authenticity, sustainability, innovation, and genuine connection.

In our first decade, Pam and Charlie established the foundation for our legacy—creating world-class wines that earned the respect of top sommeliers and passionate wine lovers. The second decade expanded that vision: our team deepened our commitment to organic farming, elevated our hospitality experience, and broadened our estate wine portfolio. We closed this era with a major milestone: moving into our Napa Green–certified winery on the estate, further aligning our practices with our environmental values.

Now at the end of our third decade, we continue to raise the bar. With the arrival of winemaker Julie Robertson and the leadership of President and now Partner Cyrus Hazzard, we are embracing new ideas, deepening our craft, and shaping the next era of our winery.

Across the estate, our commitment remains unwavering: exceptional quality, from soil to glass. Every member of the Crocker & Starr team shares a unified vision and a collaborative drive to innovate, inspire, and deliver extraordinary experiences. Our past shapes us, our present motivates us, and our future is brighter than ever.

What is your favorite forgotten grape? Cab Franc for its fabulous non-fruited-ness.

What was your first experience with a forgotten grape? My first undiscovered grape was in the 1980s, and it was Colombard as a wine, not for a distillate. I was working full-time for Carmenet Winery (winery partner of Chalone Wine group), and during harvest, a delivery of Colombard grapes from Calistoga arrived for us to whole cluster press and barrel ferment. Typically, Chalone Winery would produce this wine, but our location in Sonoma proved to be more sensible. From a distillation class, I learned that Colombard was used to make brandy. And I learned by barrel fermenting Colombard sur lies aging that the resulting wine had aromas of flowers, apples, and nuts with texture.

What do you love most about the forgotten grapes? They offer flavors for tasting outside the ‘box’.

10 Oct Domaine Publica

Posted at 02:37h in 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Domaine Publica

PO Box 58, Grover Beach, CA
domainepublica.com

Region: Santa Maria Valley

Owners: Sarah Atwood & Ben Enos

Winemakers: Sarah Atwood & Ben Enos

About: Domaine Publica is dedicated to showcasing lesser-known Mediterranean varieties and their potential when grown in California’s top vineyards. Our wines are an homage to the public domain where artists, scientists, and innovators alike are able to build off the works (or wines!) that came before. Winemaking duo Ben and Sarah established Domaine Publica in 2024 and are so excited to share these fantastic wines with you.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? We love all of our grapes, but our favorite has to be our Falanghina. Grown in one of our favorite vineyards in California, the grapes make such a complex, ageable, and food-friendly wine. It can be quite finicky during the winemaking process and has shown it needs a little extra time in barrel, but the results are always worth it!

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Hard to remember the first time… but we are constantly finding new grapes and wines that excite us. Recently, we have been impressed with Pelaverga from Italian producer from G.B Burlotto and Xinomavro from Alpha Estate in Greece. Both are incredibly food-friendly and age-worthy!

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? While less well-known in the US market, these grapes all have vast histories and make the wines people drink daily all over the world. It is a level of connection to these other places and communities that we never had before– to grow the same grapes and enjoy them with their traditional cuisines– it is something special.

19 Oct Dry Creek Vineyard

Posted at 20:36h in 2026 Wineries, 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2026, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Dry Creek Vineyard

3770 Lambert Bridge Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448
www.drycreekvineyard.com

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Owner: Kim Stare Wallace

Winemakers: Tim Bell & Brian Pruett

About: Established in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is Dry Creek Valley’s flagship winery, located in the heart of Sonoma County. Dave’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, serves as President, overseeing a successful family winemaking and grape growing business that includes 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards. The winery is 100% Certified Sustainable. Dry Creek Vineyard proudly produces a portfolio of critically acclaimed wines that includes Dry Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Meritage blends, as well as a collection of single-vineyard wines. The winery has been proudly producing a Dry Chenin Blanc for over 50 years, and in the fall of 2025, released a Sparkling Chenin Blanc.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Chenin Blanc because we love the aromatics and flavors as well as its versatility and acidity at lower alcohol levels.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Our founder fell in love with Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, and when he founded the winery in 1972 near Healdsburg, it was a varietal he set out to make. Long before the current wave of enthusiasm for lower-alcohol, aromatic white wines, Dry Creek Vineyard has stayed true to a vibrant, refreshing, and food-friendly expression of Chenin Blanc, setting a trend that is currently in the spotlight. The winery has been making a Dry Chenin Blanc for over 50 years, and for the last 40 years, the grapes have come from the Wilson Ranch in the Clarksburg AVA.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? The chance to share a varietal we love with a new audience, and hopefully they will fall in love with it too!

03 Oct Half Full Wine Company

Posted at 23:08h in 2027 Wineries, Los Angeles 2027, San Jose 2027, Wineries

Half Full Wine Company

3000-F Danville Blvd., #142, Alamo, CA 94507
halffullwine.com

Region: Northern California

Owner: Family Owned – Tim Harris & Antonia Rozakis, Roger & Jennifer Billeci, Demetrius & Tina Palavos

Winemaker: Tim Harris & Edward Cholakian

About: Half Full Wine Co. started in a garage, where we spent more than a decade learning by doing. We made it official in 2023, but kept the same curiosity. Today, we roam Northern California looking for vineyards, varieties, and ideas worth chasing. Our wines are small-lot, single-vineyard and tied to one vintage. No formulas. No reruns. One vineyard. One vintage. One chance to get it right. That model gives us permission to keep exploring. Albariño and Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg; Grenache from Amador; Cabernet Franc from the Sierra Foothills; and now experiments with Chenin Blanc Pét-Nat and partial-carbonic Valdiguié. We don’t want to make the same wines forever. We want to keep discovering what California can do.

What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Grenache. We sometimes think of it as a more rustic cousin to Pinot Noir. It can be delicate and aromatic, earthy and savory, or surprisingly serious. It can make a beautiful rosé, a bright lighter red or something with real structure. And it has a way of showing where it was grown without needing much makeup. Mostly, we like that we haven’t figured it all out yet. Every time we work with Grenache, there seems to be another direction worth exploring.

What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? It’s hard for us to point to one grape or one bottle. The discovery itself has always been the part of wine that hooked us. A bottle from somewhere you’ve never been. A grape you’ve never heard of. Traveling somewhere and tasting something that makes perfect sense in that place. Then coming home and wondering what else is out there—and what some of those ideas might look like in California. That curiosity eventually became the model for Half Full. Instead of building a lineup and repeating it every vintage, we gave ourselves permission to keep looking. New vineyards. New grapes. New techniques. New favorites. The adventure of a new wine is still the part that fascinates us most.

What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? There is always something else to try. That’s what we love about wine in general. You can spend a lifetime exploring it and still barely scratch the surface. Different grapes. Different regions. Different producers. Different styles. And great examples exist in all of them. We love to travel. We love ordering the bottle we don’t recognize. We love tasting someone else’s experiment and having it change the way we think about our own. And we bring that same curiosity into the cellar. Right now, that means exploring Chenin Blanc in a completely different style and experimenting with partial-carbonic Valdiguié. Next year, who knows. There is too much good wine in the world to stop exploring.