Kosta Browne winery expands to Burgundy amid California wildfires

In 2020, during the pandemic, Kosta Browne winery, based in Sonoma County, California, faced significant challenges due to wildfires threatening their vineyards. This crisis catalyzed the winery to explore innovative solutions, a hallmark of its identity since its inception. Founded in 1997 by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, the winery has a reputation for luxury pinot noir and chardonnay wines. They recognized the risk of losing grapes due to smoke taint from wildfires, prompting them to consider producing wine in Burgundy, France—a region known for its prestigious wine heritage. Despite strict regulations preventing Burgundy grapes from being exported, a creative solution emerged that would allow Kosta Browne to make wine locally, bottle it in the United States, and still preserve the Burgundy designation. The winery negotiated a contract with an anonymous partner in Burgundy over Zoom, which included plans for shipping the crafted wine back to California. This collaboration began during the pandemic years, a time when the demand for wine was high, yet the threat from wildfires loomed large. The timing was crucial for Kosta Browne as the California vineyards were adversely affected, leading to a decline in grapes available for their iconic wines. Kosta Browne typically sells its wines on an allocation basis to a select membership list, and during the expansion into Burgundy, the winery could only fill limited orders while waiting for the aging process to complete. The 2021 crop in California was bountiful, and after aging the wine in barrels for 12 to 24 months, it was shipped back to California for further aging and bottling. This strategic move not only helped Kosta Browne navigate a difficult period but also allowed them to diversify their offerings, introducing a Burgundy Series alongside their established Single Vineyard and Observation Series wines. The Burgundy Series has received positive acclaim, with wines like the Kosta Browne 2022 Volnay Pinot Noir, 2022 Pommard Pinot Noir, and 2022 Beaune Premier Cru Pinot Noir showcasing the unique terroir of Burgundy while maintaining the luxury standard Kosta Browne is known for. The winery is located in Sebastopol, California, and remains accessible to visitors by appointment, offering various tasting experiences that highlight the quality and exclusivity of their wines.