Kitson Wines
Get the Dirt from winemaker Brad Kitson
“We look for like-minded vineyards that provide a unique expression of the grapes that represent their location and take a sustainable approach. ”
1. What was your first vintage year? 2010
2. How many cases do you make per vintage? 300
3. Do you have a Tasting Room? No tasting room. We hope to open a tasting room in the near future. Informal appointments are possible.
4. If not you, who is your winemaker? We make all of our wines ourselves - Brad and Svetlana Kitson.
5. What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery? Brad has been making wine for other wineries. We have a passion for wine and wanted to make our wines to share our passion.
6. What varietals do you work with? Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make? Why? We’ve mostly worked with Pinot Noir, but have worked with Bordeaux and Rhone varietals, too. Pinot Noir is probably our favorite. Pinot Noir is unique all along the west coast. It can be a real challenge in winemaking.
7. What vineyards do you source from? Why? We source from multiple vineyards. We look for like-minded vineyards that provide a unique expression of the grapes that represent their location and take a sustainable approach.
8. What type of oak treatment do you use? Why? We only use French oak barrels. No oak additives. We limit the use of new oak. We don’t want any overt oak flavors. We want the oak to integrate with the wine so that the sum is greater than the parts.
9. What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special? So far, we source from the North Coast – Sonoma, Mendocino and Napa. The terroir and climate in these regions are fabulous. It seems as if every varietal grows in some spot within the North Coast.
10. What’s the story behind your winery name / label? Our winery name is our last name. The car in our logo and on our label is from an image over 100 years old. It’s a 1916 Hudson Super Six with my grandfather at the wheel. He traveled throughout the U.S. and ended up in wine country to open the very first car dealership in Napa. His long ago journey paved the way for ours now.
11. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery? The key is marketing and sales. Be ready.
12. Most importantly, what's so great about being small? What can you do as a small winemaker, that wouldn't be possible for larger wineries? We are trying to make great wine at a reasonable price. As a small winery, we can be very hands on with the wines and pay attention to every detail. The larger you get the further you are from the wines. Unique grapes get lost in a bigger blend of wine. As a small winery, many if not most of our customers have become friends. The larger you are, the further you are from your customers.
13. How do you view the future in the wine industry for small-lot winemakers? It’s an exciting time for small-lot winemakers. We can find unique grapes, create unique wines and bring them to wine fans. On the other side, it’s a competitive marketplace.
14. If you had to choose another wine region to work in what would it be? Wonderful Pinot Noir is grown from Santa Rita Hills to Oregon. We’d love to expand our reach and buy Pinot Noir from some of these regions one day as well.
For more information about Kitson Wines, please visit their website or follow them on FACEBOOK.