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May 13-16, 2021

EVENTS

ALL

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At-A-Glance

Weekend Package

Wine + Design Lunch

Location: THE VINTNERS HOUSE AT ANABA WINES
Friday, May 15, 2020
12:30 – 3:00 PM

AN EXTENSION OF THE FAMILY HOME

Nestled along meandering wine country roads, tucked behind ornate private gateways, Sonoma Valley is home to many exclusive estates that are as spectacular as they are secluded. John Sweazey and John Michael Sweazey, father and son proprietors of Anaba Wines, invite you to experience their newly built Vintners House in Sonoma Valley’s Los Carneros region. Broad windows look out over the estate vineyards, drawing the eye to the distant hills and Sonoma Mountain, while the warm and inviting atmosphere makes the inside feel like an extension of the Sweazeys’ family home. With rich blues, soft grays and deep browns, the color palette takes inspiration from nature – evoking fog, water, earth and even the anabatic winds that give the winery its name. Designed to harmonize with the rural setting, The Vintners House hints at a bygone era, complementing the 120-year-old farmstead that was Anaba’s original tasting room. Beyond the landscaped courtyard, bocce ball and paddle tennis provide Signature Sonoma Valley guests the opportunity to engage in a bit of competition after a very thoughtfully paired wine lunch.

FEATURING WINES FROM: Anaba Wines

$175

RESERVE NOW →

The Setting

ANABA WINES

Acquired by Kathleen and John Sweazey in 2005, the 16-acre plot of land was home to an old farmhouse. With great inspiration from their family home, the project began in 2018 with collaboration between builders Steve Martin Associates and interior design CadenceCo. and the classic white and modern style farmhouse, appropriately named the ‘Vintners House’ opened in October 2019.

Featured Vintners & Hosts

Gary Finnan

Creative Design & Guest Experience
Cadence Co.

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Gary Finnan

Creative Design & Guest Experience, Cadence Co.

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John Michael Sweazey

General Manager
Anaba Wines

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. In 2017, John’s son, John Michael, found himself in a similar situation to that of his father, except he was selling software instead of hardware, and it was LinkedIn instead of IBM. In the same way his father did, John Michael left his job and withdrew his savings to take a trip to the old world with his future wife. Crammed into a Fiat 500 for 5 months, the two of them made it their mission to taste wines from as many regions as possible, as well as get to know all of the vintners and their families along the way. After falling in love with wine in almost precisely the same way 45 years after his father, John Michael returned home and asked if he could join the family business. With John Michael on-board, the family broke ground on a new production facility and hospitality center. Their goal is to provide connoisseurs and first-timers alike, an escape where they can be surprised and delighted by what they experience.

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John Michael Sweazey

Anaba Wines

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John Sweazey

Founder & Proprietor
ANABA WINES

John Sweazey created Anaba Wines because, quite simply, he just loves the wine business. “I never personally wanted to be a winemaker,” John explains. “My desire to get into the business was fueled by my long-time interest in production — making the best possible wine from the finest grapes, then marketing and selling it. To me, that’s the romance of wine.”

A native of Chicago, John headed west to Stanford University for college, where he earned a degree in economics. While at Stanford, John and his Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers decided one year to extend the annual “Big Game Weekend” between Stanford and Cal, and headed north to Napa Valley for a fraternity party at the iconic El Bonita Motel in St. Helena. With the sun setting over the Mayacamas Mountains, John offered a toast with a memorable glass of Charles Krug Vin Rosé — and his journey to the world of wine officially began.

He continued his wine research during the 70s while earning a living in San Francisco. This research included becoming a home winemaker, attending numerous classes on wine and food, and visiting the French wine regions to learn more about the wine production methods of France. Over the years, he became enamored with the Sonoma Wine Country because it reminded him of his experiences in France. “Sonoma is more attuned to my personality — and is the best place to grow the Rhône blends and Burgundian varietals that I love.”

In 2003 he was finally able to begin his search for a premium winegrowing property in Sonoma, finding a serendipitous spot in Western Carneros, where cool winds temper the summer heat, allowing for a longer growing season for his chosen grape varieties. Inspired by the unique upward anabatic wind patterns that prevail, he decided to name it Anaba.

In shaping Anaba, John relies on his proven track record as a team builder, creating an environment where people are excited about their work and share their passion for wine. He prides himself on bringing together different personalities to build an esprit de corps — just as a winemaker works with different grapes to craft a harmonious blend.

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John Sweazey

Anaba Wines

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Katy Wilson

Winemaker
Anaba Wines

Katy Wilson’s road to winemaking began at 18 years old while studying at Cal Poly San Luis Obsipo. Growing up on a walnut orchard, it seemed natural she would pursue a career in agriculture. During her Agricultural Business 101 class, she realized that a career in wine would combine her agricultural interests with her creative and scientific talents. She graduated in 2005 with a degree in Wine & Viticulture, as well as in Agricultural Business.

Katy began her career as a harvest intern at Testarossa Winery in Los Gatos making Pinot Noir before heading down under to work for Torbreck Vintners in the Barossa Valley where she made wine from some of the oldest vines in the world.  After stints in Napa (at Joseph Phelps) and New Zealand (at Craggy Range) she ultimately landed at Flowers Winery where she worked her way to assistant winemaker, with Ross Cobb at the helm as head winemaker. Rounding out her experience, Katy spent five years at Kamen making distinguished Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

In 2012 Ross and Katy’s shared attention to detail, devotion to the land and passion for producing elegant Pinot Noir ultimately encouraged them to form a partnership – crafting some of the finest wines from Sonoma. Individually, they have their own successful eponymous wineries, Cobb Wines and LaRue Wines. Together, we are delighted to have them guiding our wine program here at Anaba Wines.

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katy wilson

Katy Wilson

Anaba Wines

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Steve Martin

Steve Martin & Associates Inc.

Steve Martin is the Principal owner and President of Steve Martin Associates, Inc. (SMA). Steve is a licensed professional civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in the wine industry and has worked on over 250 wineries throughout California, Oregon and Washington. His experience ranges from due diligence, permitting, master planning through final architectural & engineering design and construction of wineries. SMA is a unique company as a true design-lead construction company with licensed design professionals and general contracting. Steve and the entire team at SMA work collaboratively together with owners, consultants and regulators to provide streamlined and successful projects from inception to completion. Steve is recognized by the wine industry as an expert in the programming, architectural and engineering design and construction of all types of winery projects.

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Steve Martin

Steve Martin & Associates Inc.

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  • Sonoma Valley
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  • Visit
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  • Wineries
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    • All Events
    • Harvest Kickoff
    • Sonoma Valley Presents
    • Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival