About the Producer
The dedication paid off, culminating in a major milestone in 2011 when our 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was named Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year. This accolade cemented Kosta Browne’s reputation as a benchmark producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and fueled our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.
At Kosta Browne, we are deeply connected to the vineyards we source from, striving to capture the unique expressions of California’s finest winegrowing regions. These include the rugged Sonoma Coast, the fog-drenched Russian River Valley, the cool Santa Lucia Highlands, the coastal Sta. Rita Hills, and the untamed Anderson Valley. Each region offers distinct characteristics that we celebrate in our wines through meticulous blending of vineyard blocks and rows, ensuring every bottle tells a story of place and time.
Innovation is at the heart of our winemaking philosophy. We embrace unconventional techniques in the cellar to craft wines with elegant intensity, upfront opulence, and the structure to age gracefully. Our obsession with excellence extends beyond winemaking to our hospitality, where we invite wine lovers to immerse themselves in the stories behind every bottle.
Today, under the leadership of Head Winemaker Julien Howsepian, Kosta Browne continues its mission to produce exceptional wines. Whether you’re exploring our renowned Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, each sip reflects the artistry, passion, and legacy that define Kosta Browne as one of California’s premier wineries.
Join us in experiencing the best Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, and California’s iconic regions have to offer, and become part of the Kosta Browne story.
For over 25 years, Kosta Browne has been synonymous with crafting some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California. Recognized for producing the best Pinot Noir from California and beyond, our journey began in 1997 with a passion for excellence and a drive to create wines that rival the best in the world.
Founders Dan Kosta and Michael Browne started their venture with humble beginnings, working together at a local restaurant in Sonoma County. Fueled by their love for wine but limited by resources, they pooled their tips to buy their first grapes. Michael built relationships with Northern California’s premier growers, while Dan, with support from third partner Chris Costello, focused on marketing and selling their wine.
In 2019, rising star Julien Howsepian was named just the third winemaker in Kosta Browne’s history at the age of 34. Building on the winemaking foundation established by Co-founder Michael Browne, Julien has cemented Kosta Browne’s reputation as one of the world’s most revered wineries, and a beacon of excellence in New World Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Guided by his visionary leadership and winemaking artistry, Julien has led Kosta Browne though one of the most ambitious and successful periods in the winery’s storied history. This has included elevating Kosta Browne’s Chardonnays to world-class levels, establishing the winery’s sparkling program, and expanding the Kosta Browne portfolio to Oregon’s majestic Willamette Valley and the legendary vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay and Meursault in Burgundy, France.
