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 began his career at Saxum Vineyards, where he spent years honing his craft. Today, he is the owner and winemaker at Turtle Rock Vineyards, a winery that has received widespread acclaim—including a perfect 100-point score and several vintages rated at 99 points. Don’s focus isn’t only on the scores- he has a passion for farming, giving him a keen eye for timing of harvest and a deep understanding of the Paso terroir. His dedication to quality and expertise has been essential in crafting our first vintage.
What started as a toast on the beach to someday make our own wine, has become a reality and we’re so happy to share our wines with you.