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The Dan Kosta Wine Group is the latest step in Dan’s lifelong journey of pushing the envelope in Sonoma food and wine. Yet, his success stands in contrast to the old adage that it takes a fortune to make a small fortune in the wine business.
Though born in Santa Rosa, in the heart of Sonoma County, Dan Kosta was no heir to a wine family legacy. Rather, he discovered his passion for food and wine through high school jobs in restaurants, eventually working his way up to wine director at John Ash & Company, one of Sonoma County’s first farm-to-table restaurants. But a need to go beyond just selling wine led Kosta and best friend, Michael Browne, to dip their toes into winemaking. In 1997, with a minuscule amount of cash saved from restaurant tips, they bought enough grapes to make one barrel of Kosta Browne Pinot Noir. The rest, they say, is history - years of hard work, cultivating relationships with growers for fruit, seeking out and convincing investors, making, marketing and selling wine. However, with all the hard work, the quality and popularity of Kosta Browne Pinot Noir increased rapidly, and in 2011, their 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator. Kosta Browne’s success stands as a testament to the excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that can emerge from the diversity of soils, microclimates and cultures of Sonoma County.
Convene is Dan’s latest project, currently available in the USA only via mailing list or wine club membership. The venture is a small endeavor reminiscent of his early days, but it is also a quest to perfect wines of elegant intensity, uniting art and science to let grapes reveal themselves naturally. Convene expresses the notion that a convergence of elements are required to craft a fine wine - soil, climate, grape vines, clones - but also technology, experience, passion, and camaraderie. The wine can then encourage friends or family to convene for a meal, a special occasion, or a moment worth sharing. Convene’s winemaker is Shane Finley, formerly of Kosta Browne, who shares Dan’s vision and desire to craft Pinot Noir that harnesses the undeniable power of place. Interestingly, Convene wines are mostly appellation blends rather than single vineyard. Shane believes that “blends can be some of the most intriguing wines to make. Single vineyard wines are pure expressions of terroir; they are focused on what the site does best. Blends, in contrast, present the challenge of harmonizing disparate vineyards and all their unique characteristics. The process of melding multiple vineyards into a true representation of its appellation is tremendously rewarding.”
Dan Kosta’s new project invites wine lovers to enjoy, share, and collect the very best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Wine MakerShane Finley
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
Convene Russian River Chardonnay is sourced from well-known vineyards in the Middle-Reach section of the appellation. One of them, the Bucher Vineyard, was planted in the 1990s by John Bucher, who wanted to diversify the dairy farm operated by his parents since the 1950s. His fruit is in high demand from such wineries as Williams-Selyem, Siduri, Arista, and others. Dan Kosta describes this wine as “a vibrant Chardonnay that pays homage to the Old World. Pale straw in color, this wine opens with aromas of coconut shavings, nutmeg, and hazelnut. On the palate, fruit flavors of Bartlett pear, pineapple, and green apple mingle with notes of creme brûlée, vanilla bean and white florals through an exuberant and prolonged finish.”
The winery likes to say that Convene is where the Dan Kosta story continues. It continues not only with world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but rosé, too. The fruit for this rosé of 100% Pinot was sourced mainly from vineyards farmed by Mark Sanchietti, a fourth-generation Sonoma County wine grower. Dan Kosta says “zippy and refreshing, this Rosé shines with a light salmon color in the glass. Aromas of rose petal, strawberry, and watermelon extend into bright flavors of nectarine, white peach, and orange peel that finish with a crisp snap of cranberry.”
With Admire, Dan Kosta invites you to “join him on a journey through the Sonoma Coast, where the vineyards are as rugged and beautiful as the wines they produce. It's a journey that's been years in the making, but for Dan, the love of Pinot Noir is a journey that will never end.” The fruit was sourced from vineyards in the Russian River and Green Valley AVAs. This elegant wine pleases with fresh raspberry aromas accented with vanilla and deepened with a soft earthy tone. The lush palate is round and textured with refreshing acidity and silky tannins.
Convene “brings together the history experience and vineyard sourcing that defines an elevated style of wine and hospitality for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lovers everywhere.” The wine was sourced from three vineyards: Campbell (a sunny but wind-swept site near the ocean), Sun Chase (a high-elevation site at the junction of Sonoma Mountain and Petaluma Gap), and Starscape (in the middle-reach of the RRV, notably featuring older vines). This wine earned a score of 95 points from the Wine Enthusiast, who described it as seductive and packing "a flavor punch while staying balanced and appetizing. Deep, rich black-fruit flavors and a warm, generous mouthfeel make a great combination in this full-bodied, ripe-tasting and moderately tannic wine.”
The Sunchase Vineyard straddles the Sonoma Mountain and Petaluma Gap AVAs. At an elevation of 500 m, the vineyard wakes up to early morning fog that burns off for sunny afternoons. The constant winds blowing in from the Pacific Ocean stress the vines, keeping berries small but extending the growing season. So exquisite is the Sunchase fruit that it is purchased by some of Sonoma’s top winemakers (such as Dan Kosta). The winemaker describes this wine as featuring plum, blueberry, nutmeg and cinnamon flavors with a hint of tangerine peel. Plush tannins provide a round, yet refined mouthfeel. On the finish, notes of black cherry, green tea, and graphite coalesce with a touch of toasted oak.”