A Cal Poly wine and viticulture graduate, Janie Willheim works on the winemaking team at Desparada by day. After recently evolving her brand, she has transitioned from Lumina to her new label, Dream Dweller.

Kick On Ranch, where the grapes from this Riesling are sourced, is located in the Los Alamos Valley of Santa Barbara County, is a terroir defined by its extreme climate and ancient geology. Situated in a rare transverse valley that funnels cool, Pacific Ocean air directly inland, the vineyard is known for its constant winds and frequent fog. This creates a challenging, cool-climate environment that lengthens the growing season, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and develop intense character while preserving crucial acidity.

The soils are a critical component of this unique site. The vineyard is planted on ancient marine-based soils, predominantly composed of sandy loam. This low-vigor, well-drained soil stresses the vines, forcing their roots to dig deep in search of water and nutrients. This combination of a long, cool growing season and poor, sandy soils results in grapes with remarkable concentration, structure, and a distinct minerality.