The 2023 Doris Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from three organically farmed vineyards. Two late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon sites anchor the blend: Warm Springs Ranch in Glen Ellen and a parcel of bush vines from the Waterman Vineyard in Eldridge—both valley floor vineyards known for producing structured, wines with plenty of depth. The Merlot comes from the Pickberry Vineyard on the far side of Sonoma Mountain, where cooler conditions and compact clay soils lend lift, freshness and a savory edge to the blend.

Winemaker, Dan O'Brien, hails from the East Coast, without a family history of winemaking in California. He grew up in Rhode Island where “helping the old Italians in my neighborhood shovel their driveways and rack their homemade “Chianti” gave him his first taste of hard work and wine. In high school, he worked at the local package store in Providence, stacking cases of wine. During college, he tended bar and shucked oysters in downtown Providence. Eventually, he became a Sommelier at one of the best restaurants in Boston. From there, he moved west, settling in San Francisco, where he helped open a luxury hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant.

Before Dan made the move to California he lost his mom, Gail, to a rare disease called amyloidosis. Her strength, love, and encouragement to pursue something meaningful is what pushed Dan to take the leap into wine. Those years taught him grit, resourcefulness, and the importance of community. With a little savings, a lot of encouragement from mentors, and the help of friends and family, he bootstrapped his first harvest in 2013.  They picked, pressed, and produced a few barrels of wine. Today, this is Gail wines.