Our Story

Philosophy

ORGANIC FARMING

Nothing influences wine more than the vineyards it’s sourced from and how they are farmed. Organic practices enhance vineyard biodiversity, vine health, and durability. We all inhabit a planet that deserves to be treated with respect, and organic farming will have a longer-lasting impact on the planet than any wine we make.

MINIMAL INTERVENTION

Minimal intervention in the winery allows our vineyards to speak for themselves and express their individual personalities and terroir. We let the incredible vineyards speak for themselves rather than dominating it with intrusive winemaking techniques. We strive to make no additions, use only native fermentations, and limit new oak to showcase the beauty created by the vine. 

 APPROACHABILITY

We love craft made by real people, and the power they give. The winemaking craft is often overtaken by commercial techniques to drive down prices. We pride ourselves on making products that are individual and unique, while maintaining prices that make wines accessible to everyone.


The Maker

Winemaker Luke Nio is a Sonoma County local and 2011 graduate of UC Davis with a BS in Viticulture & Enology. Upon delving into the winemaking scene across the world, Luke's recently found his home here at Kivelstadt Cellars. His passion for expressions not only of terroir, but of true varietal characteristics of each grape, allows him to create clean, age-worth wines, that lend a hand to unique techniques, and rare varietals.

The Maker

Winemaker Luke Nio is a Sonoma County local and 2011 graduate of UC Davis with a BS in Viticulture & Enology. Upon delving into the winemaking scene across the world, Luke's recently found his home here at Kivelstadt Cellars. His passion for expressions not only of terroir, but of true varietal characteristics of each grape, allows him to create clean, age-worth wines, that lend a hand to unique techniques, and rare varietals.

Our Mission

Jordan Kivelstadt founded Kivelstadt Cellars in 2007 when he made 125 cases of Syrah from his family’s estate in Bennett Valley. Jordan has spent more than 15 years making wine around the world, to help define Kivelstadt’s mission. He shares the same mission of respecting the land and viticulture that carries through in our winemaking practices.

Our Mission

Jordan Kivelstadt founded Kivelstadt Cellars in 2007 when he made 125 cases of Syrah from his family’s estate in Bennett Valley. Jordan has spent more than 15 years making wine around the world, to help define Kivelstadt’s mission. He shares the same mission of respecting the land and viticulture that carries through in our winemaking practices.

Vineyards

 At Kivelstadt, we pride ourselves on sourcing grapes from unique, historic, and organic vineyards. From our estate vineyard in Bennett Valley to our partners throughout California, our vineyard partners are an essential part of the terroir of Kivelstadt and create the incredible diversity and character of our wines.

Vineyards

 At Kivelstadt, we pride ourselves on sourcing grapes from unique, historic, and organic vineyards. From our estate vineyard in Bennett Valley to our partners throughout the North Coast. Our vineyard partners are an essential part of the terroir of Kivelstadt and create the incredible diversity and character of our wines. You can learn more about our historic vineyards here

Vineyard Map

Kivelstadt Cellars was founded on the love of sustainable California vineyards, heritage vines, and the knowledge that unique varietals have so much value. While we have our own vineyard we only source about 11% of our grapes from there. So, the other 89% is sourced from incredible partnering vineyards that span throughout Northern California.