Life is about the journey
Life is about the journey
Life is about the journey.
For us, that journey involves wine and its incredible ability as a medium to capture the essence of its origin—the vineyard. Through our wines, we strive to express the uniqueness and beauty of place and to capture—for a moment—all that was in a year.
The Appellation
With a total area of 30,720 acres, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to over 59 vineyards, totaling 2,700 hundred acres planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and 18 other cool climate wine grape varieties. To learn more about the Sta. Rita Hills, visit staritahills.com.
The Winemaking
As winemakers we believe that the best winemaking approach is a minimalistic one, relying on traditional methods and techniques.
The Farming
Although we are not a certified organic vineyard, vineyard practices are strictly organic. Our farming approach strives for balance, and co-existence between the vines and plant, animal and insect populations.
The Vineyard
The Vineyard
It is difficult to talk about wine making without first talking about wine growing
The quality of the fruit directly impacts the quality of the wine produced from it. At Kessler-Haak, we believe winemaking begins in the vineyard. We are winegrowers first and winemakers second. We live on and work in the vineyard. Coaxing the best fruit from each vine requires an integral involvement with the grape growing process; being there each day, touching the vines and soil and being hands-on in all aspects of the farming.
A PASSION FOR THE LAND
30 acres. Family owned. Family farmed.
Family operated.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Every vine. Every cluster. Every berry.
RESPECT OF PLACE
No herbicides. No pesticides. Local labor. Mechanical weed control. Nurture the soil. Farm in harmony with nature.
The Wines
The Wines
Love at first sip
We believe great wine is produced in the vineyard and the ideal winery has only 2 employees, a winemaker and a dog. The winemaker is there to feed the dog. The dog is there to keep the winemaker from messing with the wine.
Winemaking 101
In short: Start with great fruit. Pick at the right moment. Minimize Material Other than Grapes (MOG). Let the yeast do their work. Don't over season and above all, keep it clean.
The Blend
Select clones, select barrels, just the right amount of seasoning (new oak). The goal is to express time and place, nothing more.
Time IN a bottle
Minimal fining. Minimal filtering, only natural, recyclable cork closure to protect the finished product.
Taste
Taste
Visit our new tasting room
Taste through our current releases (often with winemaker Dan Kessler) in our new tasting room located in the Lompoc Wine Center, next to the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. In addition to our tasting menu, we also offer wines by the glass and will soon be offering gourmet cheese plates prepared by Central Coast Specialty Foods. Become a member of our Club and your tastings are always complimentary. Check the Events page to see details for upcoming pick-up parties and events. We also host special events at the vineyard and offer small group vineyard tours and tasting by appointment. Contact us for more details.
Vineyard events
We host events at the vineyard for our wine club members, and also offer vineyard tours and tastings by appointment for small groups. Contact us to schedule a visit, and join our mailing list to stay informed.
The Tasting Room
Stop by the tasting room and say hello. Taste our current releases and stay for a cheese plate and a glass of your favorite wine.
on the Road
When he's not on the tractor or in the tasting room, wine maker Dan Kessler (left) hits the road. Check the Events page to see where he will be pouring next.