Over the past twenty-five years,
Kosta Browne has undergone a remarkable evolution from a petite vineyard in Sonoma County to a revered and incredibly diverse collection of unparalleled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The journey has been truly extraordinary, stemming from the humble beginnings of two restaurateurs who combined their tips to produce their initial batch of Pinot Noir. Through perseverance, passion and unwavering dedication, the brand has emerged as one of the foremost producers of Pinot Noir in the New World.
Kosta Browne’s roots run deep in the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast, where they established an avant-garde winery in Sebastopol, cultivated several cherished estate vineyards, and developed a fondness for Chardonnay. They also launched expeditions into the Anderson Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Sta. Rita Hills—regions where they had always aspired to create wine. In each of these locales, they sought out vineyards that ignited their quest to craft terroir-focused wines of exceptional caliber, where the distinct character of each site shines through in every vintage.
It was in 1998, while working together at a wine country restaurant, that founders Dan Kosta and Michael Browne embarked on their dream of winemaking. After setting aside $10 each from their nightly gratuities for months, they acquired a half-ton of grapes and a French oak barrel, leading to the production of the initial 24 cases of Kosta Browne Pinot Noir. These early wines garnered acclaim for their profound fusion of elegance and intensity, and in 2005, five Kosta Browne wines were lauded by Wine Spectator. In the ensuing years, Kosta Browne evolved into one of the most pioneering and iconic wineries in America.
Under the visionary and ambitious leadership of winemaker Julien Howsepian, Kosta Browne continues to excel. In 2020, the winery realized a long-cherished aspiration, producing its first vintage from the renowned vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, and Meursault in Burgundy, France. Maintaining their emphasis on Burgundian grapes, 2020 also marked the debut of Kosta Browne’s Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine from Russian River Valley’s esteemed Keefer Ranch. The following year, they ventured to Oregon, where they crafted their inaugural Appellation Series wine from the esteemed Willamette Valley, and have since created single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Eola Springs Vineyard in the burgeoning Eola-Amity Hills, as well as the highly acclaimed Shea Vineyard.
“While our vision and reach have expanded, our team has remained small, impassioned, and intensely focused,” says Howsepian, who obtained his viticulture and enology degree from the University of California, Davis. “We see ourselves as the torchbearers of Kosta Browne’s tradition of ingenuity and innovation, constantly pushing boundaries both within our winery and in the remarkable range of our portfolio.
Image Source: KostaBrowne.com
