Me.

 

I Approach my work...

... with a lifetime of exquisite flavors, travels and experiences.  A journalist by training and now a winemaker by passion, I am regularly inspired to never quit searching for that moment – the instant where it all makes sense.  The two professions also continue to challenge me whether through words or wine, to craft timeless stories that are better when shared with others.  I have discovered that winemaking and writing are very similar pursuits – the story is in the grapes, the harvest, the people, and the season. Each year is a fresh renewal. My goal today is to create vibrant, balanced and pleasurable wines using the basic ingredients of premium Santa Barbara County fruit, dedication and hard work.

My undergraduate work is in Political Science from the University of Michigan and my graduate work is in Journalism from Michigan State University. I received a Fulbright Scholarship to The Republic of Macedonia in 1998-1999 to study ethnic issues. The pursuit was to better understand the paths toward peace. I do that now through wine. My wine education and training are primarily on the job, in the vineyard and the cellar, and through the viticulture and enology classes at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Calif. I started making wine in the garage in 2004 and moved to commercial production in 2008. My mentors and inspirations in Santa Barbara County and beyond are too many to list here.  You’d be reading names and places for days.  Thankfully the list keeps growing each year.  This is a wonderful area to make wine with extraordinary fruit.  Come and visit, taste some wine, and I will tell you all about it.

Creating world peace one bottle at a time.

Thank you.

Sonja Magdevski

 
 

"Working with something and listening to its needs and rhythms always leads to a more enjoyable outcome than battle. Particularly over a glass of wine."