Locally Grown Locally Made
People ask me how I got started in winemaking. My response is that, “My mother was French, it’s in my genes”. It only took a few visits to France and I got hooked into the Aperitif & Amuse Goulle, Wine with Dinner, Digestif & Espresso side of life.
After few seasons of experiencing success and failure, I met Vineyard Developer Martin Ramirez and began to understand the importance of making wine “in the vineyard”. After a decade of collaboration with Martin, five years working at The Ojai Vineyard and then three years at Casa Barranca, I’m bringing my years of experience and passion to craft these Ventura County locally grown grapes into Clos des Amis locally made fine wines.
Clos des Amis loosely translates as “Circle of Friends”
That idea forms the creation of these wines. From the very beginning, it took the support and efforts of friends and family to make my wines. Picking the grapes, crushing the grapes, and putting the wine in the bottle still calls for the inclusion of friends. And so we salute you!
Just as Ventura County enjoys diverse geography and cultural influences, we are finding Ventura County to also provide a diverse range of messo-climes to grow wine grapes.
Handcrafted Fine Wines
I’m bringing my years of experience and passion to craft these local grown grapes into fine wines. The methods I employ would be considered “non-interventionist”, the idea here is that diligence in the vineyard and proper procedures in the winery help craft the wines without unnecessary manipulation. I gently do what is necessary to create these handcrafted wines from vineyard to cellar to bottle, and I do it thoughtfully.
Our Wines
We produce our wines in an artisanal manner, gently fermenting, then watching them carefully as they finish in barrel. We believe in letting the grape tell its story of flavor and terroir. These small batch, handcrafted wines come from vineyard to cellar to bottle to you. We know you will taste no other wines like ours because no other wines express our beautiful Ventura County in every glass.
South Mountain Winery
From The Blog
Fun wine events and a blog about making wine!!!
Next up, Bottling our 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
Join us Saturday, April 27 to bottle our 2018 Sauvignon Blanc. This is going to be a super refreshing summer sipper! Start time will be 10am. As always, we will supply lunch. Come be part of our Amis!
Our New Rosé, Just in Time for Spring!
Just in time for Spring, we have bottled our new Rosé and it is delightful! This wine is bursting with flavor and a beautiful nose that rivals a super bloom to your senses! Made as a field blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah grapes picked in early ripeness,...
Cave Box!
Nice to see a Clos Des Amis Malbec shown as an example for the Cave Box! Join the club and a group of very happy customers enjoying its membership PERKS! 3-bottles of wine shipped, or picked up in store. Options starting at just $45 a month. Plus there will be a big...
Interested in our labels? Find links to the hiking trails here!
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Address
Estate vineyard on South Mountain, Santa Paula, CA