Our families first crossed paths 13 years ago when we were next-door neighbors in Laguna Beach—at street addresses 55 and 53, which you’ll find on every bottle. Over time, our shared love for fine wine, great food, and unforgettable moments forged a lasting friendship and inspired our dream: to create a wine we’d love to drink ourselves and be proud to share with others.
Steven Gus Holder, a retired mortgage banker from Orange County, California, has a passion for great wine and has been an avid collector for many years. Throughout his business career, Steve spearheaded several start-ups, the success of which was largely due to surrounding himself with great people who shared a common vision.
Jason Matthew Vargas shares Steve’s passion for fine wine and knows firsthand what can be accomplished when great people unite around a shared purpose. A retired MLB starting pitcher, Jason played for the Florida Marlins, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies. His many accomplishments include back-to-back pennant wins, a World Series championship, and an All-Star selection.
From the moment we first visited Paso Robles, we fell in love with the town and its people—we knew this was where we wanted to be. After extensive research, we found the perfect location to plant our vineyard: the Willow Creek District on the west side of Paso Robles.
When it came time to find the right winemaker, we were incredibly fortunate to meet Don Burns through a mutual friend. Over a glass of wine, it quickly became clear that Don was the perfect fit for our vision.
Don Burns, Winemaker
Don began his winemaking career at Saxum Vineyards, where he developed a deep understanding of farming and winemaking from his childhood best friend, Justin Smith. Don began his personal brand, Turtle Rock, in the cellar at Saxum in 2008. In those days, Don would literally make Turtle Rock wine in the middle of the night on his own (doing a 3 person job by himself). Today, Turtle Rock has earned incredible accolades including multiple 99-point vintages and a perfect 100-point score in 2019.
Don’s approach to winemaking goes beyond the scores, he is deeply committed to farming and believes that the vineyard is the foundation of every great wine. He uses fruit from some of the most notable vineyards on the Central Coast including James Berry, G2 and 4Hearts. During harvest, you can find Don in the cellar with his crew making sure every step of the winemaking process is completed to perfection. When he’s not in the cellar, he’s in the vineyard making sure he has an understand for what the vintage is doing.
Don utilizes co-fermentation, a practice where multiple varietals are fermented in one vessel, creating complexity and balance in his wines. Don’s wine offer a unique approachability while also holding the ability to age for 15+ years. The expertise, passion, and attention to detail Don contributes has been instrumental in crafting Gus-Matthew’s inaugural release.
G2 Vineyard. May 15, 2025