History
A love for wine started Dan on a journey that took on a life of its own. Drinking wine led to learning about wine, to making wine as a home winemaker, and to planting 200 vines in his back yard. Next came a Winemaker's Certificate Degree from the first UC Davis Distance Learning program and a growing fondness for Pinot Noir. He and his wife Ellen fell in love with the Sta. Rita Hills region, purchased a 40 acre bare ground parcel and planted a 30 acre vineyard in 2005. While waiting for the vines to grow, Dan spent his first 10 years working as assitant winemaker at a local winery and eventually starting his own label. Dan is actively involved in every aspect of growing and making Kessler-Haak wines from tractor work to punching down fermentations. We are a family affair: fully family-owned and family-operated and lucky to have our children involved in our label design and marketing.
Specialties
In every bottle of Kessler-Haak wine, there's a taste of something more -- the place where it was grown. Nestled along 30 acres of hillside on the central coast of California, located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA our family-owned vineyard is home to award-winning, responsibly-farmed grapes. We specialize in cool-climate, estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from ground to glass. Our vineyard is open for tasting or just relaxing with a glass or bottle of wine by appointment. Our tasting room in Lompoc is also a great place to visit without a reservation and enjoy a tasting or glass of wine on our deck.