Kosta Browne
Updated: Jan 13
I stepped inside the Kosta Browne winemaking fortress. For the first time in history mailing list members will have access to the highly exclusive Kosta Browne select wines and now a new tour. On August 9th 2018 Kosta Browne launched ‘Tastings In The Gallery’. I had a sneak peak. Kosta Browne helped put luxury Pinot Noir from Sonoma County on the map. Certainly a top contender of America’s most coveted Pinot list. Pinot Noir at it’s ultimate finest.
Although Kosta Browne does not believe in wine perfection, they do believe that in the search for Pinot perfection you find excellence. This brand new tasting experience takes you behind the gate and into the Kosta Browne courtyard (right by Sebastopol’s Barlow for geographic reference). Kosta Browne’s courtyard and property reminds me a bit of a Google Or Apple Campus from Silicon Valley.
Pristine, clean lines, manicured, Kosta Browne employees walking across the courtyard mid-chat, a down-to-earth vibe. I’m blown away by the transparency of the tour. Kosta Browne has always focused on the wine. Quality wine. This tour is no different. The brand new Tasting Gallery looks right down on wine production. Want in? Reach out to hospitality@kostabrowne.com Open to everyone on the mailing list with advanced booking Tuesday-Saturday.
Here is more important info for ya:
Located In the Barlow, a Sebastopol destination spot.
The Barlow was formerly an apple orchard processing warehouse.
Now a tastefully transformed marketplace of all things artisan and handcrafted.
Kosta Browne is hidden discreetly behind a gate.
At the north end of the Barlow complex.
A small, nondescript signage greets guests who have an appointment.
Open Monday through Saturday
Suggestion:
Make reservations several months in advance.
All things wonderful await behind the gate.
Park your car in the large, sleek, corporate-like courtyard.
Buildings surround you on three sides.
A mecca for premiere Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Known world wide for highly limited single vineyard wines.
Graps are sourced from Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Santa Lucia Highlands.
Anderson Valley’s Cerise Vineyard, Gap’s Crown, Kanzler, Kiefer, Giusti, Kopien, Cohn (one of the oldest Pinot Noir Vineyards in Sonoma County), Pisoni…
30,000 members await the release of the coveted wines.
“Gallery Tastings”:
Tastings:
$125 for anyone who signs up for their mailing list.
$75 for active members.
Note: One must wait one to two years to move into the active member status.
“The Gallery” is a tasting lounge in a second floor suite.
Interior designer, Jen MacDonald scoured the world to secure:
Vintage French lamps
Italian leather chairs
One of a kind marble
Old French cathedral stone fireplace
A thick slab of inlaid table wood.
All to furnish “The Gallery”.
The Gallery has an overlook with a panoramic view of:
Winemaking in action on the ground floor.
You’re at eye level with the vaulted ceiling.
The latest and best wine making equipment line both sides…
Leaving a wide open expanse in the middle.
Serious winemaking drama happens for the curious observer.
Guests also savor seriously delicious wine…..
An “Observation Series” wine is poured in “The Gallery”.
Nico Cueva, the winemaker and self proclaimed surf-rat from San Diego….
He designates the wines in the Gallery Tasting “unique”.
The tasting experience is unique too.
Damon Wong, the director of hospitality, encourages guests to let their curiosity run wild.
For example, a guest sees a winemaker pulling a sample from a barrel.
Damon would take the guest downstairs to taste that sample.
Customized tastings will be the norm.
Special events happen in the large empty expanse in the middle of the barrel room.
Long tables are set up for special events.
Guests sit next to the enormous oak barrels.
While eating gourmet food rom world premier chefs.
Founders of Kosta Browne are Dan Kosta and Michael Browne.
A heartwarming rags-to-riches Sonoma County Wine Story!
The two pooled a portion of their tips each night while working at John Ash and Co restaurant.
The hope was that one day they could start a winery.
The rest is history!
