OUR WINEMAKER - Stewart Johnson

Old World Quality

Inspired by the elegance of Burgundy's Pinot Noir and Chardonnay during a mid-2000s trip, the vision became to craft wines echoing that Old World finesse. The search for ideal conditions led to the Petaluma Gap AVA. This region, marked by persistent fog and strong winds funneled from the Pacific, emerged as the ultimate choice for Pinot Noir. The cool, extended growing season allows the grapes to develop nuanced flavors, vibrant acidity, and delicate aromatics – qualities reminiscent of Burgundy and distinct from warmer California regions.

Thus, Wind Dancer Cellars was born in the Petaluma Gap. While the initial dream included Chardonnay from Carneros, the focus sharpened on the unique potential of the Gap for Pinot Noir. The maritime influence here, unlike the warmer Napa Valley, fosters the slow ripening crucial for complex Pinot Noir. Wind Dancer Cellars embraces the Gap's terroir, where the natural "wind tunnel" effect not only lends its name but also contributes to the health and character of the vines, ultimately shaping wines with a distinct sense of place and Burgundian-inspired elegance.

Stewart Johnson is hands-on in every aspect of his wine, from vine to bottle – not just for show. His agricultural roots in Amador County, where he grew prunes, walnuts, and grapes, led him to plant Sangiovese (and briefly Syrah) on family land during breaks from graduate studies. While the Sangiovese was initially contracted out, some has been used for his own wines since 2014.

In 2001, his passion for Pinot Noir spurred the planting of his 8.5-acre Marin vineyard near the Sonoma border, west of Highway 101. Established in 2002, the vineyard yielded its first crop in 2004, with other varieties later grafted in based on ripening and Pinot Noir performance. Johnson began making his Marin Pinot and Shenandoah Valley Syrah in 2004 at other wineries before setting up his own production space on Treasure Island by the 2013 vintage. A tasting room is a future goal he eagerly anticipates.

OUR STORY