Ernest Vineyards

In 2012, Erin Brooks was inspired by the unique character of wines coming from what is now the West Sonoma Coast AVA and a few pioneering winegrowers in extreme conditions. Ernest Vineyards was born to harness that inspiration and explore what might be possible in cool-climate, marine-influenced wines from California's rugged northern coastline.
In 2018, Joseph Ryan joined the Ernest family as Winemaker, bringing focus and finesse to the low-intervention method and style of Ernest wines. The long, cool growing season along the coast allows for wines of restraint with naturally bright acidity and engaging complexity. Joseph's thoughtful approach during fermentation and aging allows for transparency of time and place of the vineyards.

Ernest Vineyards' sustainable and respectful approach to both organic farming and vinification of wines can be traced back to Erin's agricultural childhood in Texas, and her husband Todd Gottula's Central Valley farming roots. Today, under Joseph's leadership, Ernest farms 35 acres in Freestone-Occidental using certified organic and regenerative methods and sustainably dry-farming where possible with 50% fully electric vehicles and equipment. Ernest is committed to positive stewardship of the land and crafting pure, honest wines that celebrate health for and in all.