During the previous twenty-five years,
Kosta Browne has transformed from a small winery in Sonoma County to a respected and extremely varied collection of unparalleled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The journey has been truly remarkable, originating from the modest origins of two restaurateurs who pooled their gratuity to produce their initial barrel of Pinot Noir. Through determination, enthusiasm and hard work, the brand has risen as one of the leading producers of Pinot Noir in the New World.
Kosta Browne’s origins are deeply embedded in the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast, where they established a cutting-edge winery in Sebastopol, developed several treasured estate vineyards, and also embraced a fondness for Chardonnay. They also began explorations into the Anderson Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Sta. Rita Hills—regions from which they had always aspired to make wine. In each of these locations, they sought out vineyards that sparked their quest to fashion terroir-driven wines of outstanding quality, where the distinct character of each site radiates through in every vintage.
It was in 1998, during their collaboration at a wine country restaurant, that the founders Dan Kosta and Michael Browne began pursuing their ambition of producing wine. After saving $10 each from their nightly tips for months, they acquired a half-ton of grapes and a French oak barrel, resulting in the creation of the initial 24 cases of Kosta Browne Pinot Noir. These early wines received recognition for their profound fusion of refinement and intensity, and in 2005, five Kosta Browne wines were highly praised by Wine Spectator. In the subsequent years, Kosta Browne evolved into one of the most pioneering and iconic wineries in America.
Under the innovative and ambitious guidance of winemaker Julien Howsepian, Kosta Browne continues to achieve. In 2020, the winery fulfilled a long-cherished dream, producing its first vintage from the renowned vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, and Meursault in Burgundy, France. Maintaining their focus on Burgundian grapes, 2020 also marked the inception of Kosta Browne’s debut Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine from Russian River Valley’s esteemed Keefer Ranch. The subsequent year, they ventured to Oregon, where they crafted their premiere Appellation Series wine from the esteemed Willamette Valley, and have since produced single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Eola Springs Vineyard in the burgeoning Eola-Amity Hills, as well as the highly acclaimed Shea Vineyard.
“Although our vision and reach have expanded, our team has remained small, passionate, and intensely focused,” says Howsepian, who attained his viticulture and enology degree from the University of California, Davis. “We perceive ourselves as the torchbearers of Kosta Browne’s tradition of artistry and innovation, continually pushing boundaries both within our winery and in the remarkable diversity of our portfolio.
Image Source: KostaBrowne.com
