Winter Wines is an emerging, award-winning, ultra-premium California winery founded by winemaker Mark Lueker in tribute to Winter, his beloved Golden Retriever. To Mark, she was simply the best dog in the world, and the joy, character, and extraordinary spirit she brought to life inspires an uncompromising commitment to crafting exceptional wines. Winter Wines earned Third Place in a California commercial wine competition with its inaugural release, providing early validation for a new producer focused on small-production, vineyard-driven wines. The winery seeks exceptional fruit from distinguished California vineyards and growers, including Beckstoffer, Antinori, Lancel Creek, and Quixote, selecting individual sites for varietal character, terroir, and regional expression rather than limiting production to a single appellation.
Winemaking is deliberately hands-on and meticulous: night-harvested and hand-sorted fruit, gravity-fed production, individually temperature-controlled 500L puncheon fermentations, intentional yeast selection, and extended élevage in premium French oak from Taransaud, Damy, François Frères, and D&J. Early bottle samples shared with acclaimed California winemakers and leading industry professionals have drawn descriptions including “world class” and “exquisite.”
The Winter Wines portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Carignan, and Pinot Gris, produced in extremely limited quantities with an emphasis on structure, aromatics, phenolic development, vineyard expression, and age-worthiness. Each wine is named for one of Winter’s puppies, giving every bottling its own identity while connecting the portfolio to the Golden Retriever whose spirit inspired the winery. Combining acclaimed California vineyard sources, rigorous small-lot winemaking, early competition recognition, and a distinctive personal story, Winter Wines is a new California producer to watch as its wines begin reaching critics, the trade, and serious collectors.