Brand's Heritage

In 1996, with 40 years of winemaking experience under their belt, Jim and Mary Dierberg’s dream of producing wines worthy of their long term plan became a reality. After a long search through France and Napa, while learning the craft and making wine in the mid-west, they discovered the potential of Santa Barbara’s cool coastal valleys. 

The Central Coast's cool-weather terroir is exemplified at the two estate vineyards that provide Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Dierberg Estate: the original Dierberg Vineyard in Santa Maria - planted in 1997 - and the newer Drum Canyon vineyard located farther to the south in the Santa Rita Hills. In both vineyards, cooling Pacific Ocean fog and breezes keep this sunny corner of California far cooler than one would imagine. This phenomenon favors crisp acidity and gentle ripening in classic Burgundian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. These estates, along with the family’s iconic warm climate site Star Lane Vineyard, culminated in a trio of peerless properties in Santa Barbara County.

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Today, winemaker Tyler Thomas oversees the intricacies of the Dierberg’s winemaking operations and details. With the belief that it takes great vineyards and great people to make peerless wines, Dierberg Winery aims to produce compelling, fresh, and deftly crafted wines while maintaining high standards of stewardship, sustainability, and customer service. 

Great Vineyards and Great People