Michael and Marlene Robinson, longtime club members at Taste of the Sta. Rita Hills and friends of founding owners Antonio and Jeni Moretti, purchased the Los Olivos-based business and Moretti Wines in August. The Morettis, residents of Los Alamos, have retired.

In an email detailing the transaction, Antonio Moretti said that “one day, many years ago, we joked with them (the Robinsons) that they should take over our business when we retired.”

Having observed the Moretti business model, the Robinsons have landed on their feet, and continue to offer the elite tastings that aficionados of Sta. Rita Hills wines have come to expect.

Michael Robinson brings years of employment in the world of fine wines, having worked in “just about every role possible on the retail side of the trade.” He was the West Coast representative for Zachy’s, “the K & L Wines of the East Coast,” he noted.

In May, the Robinsons relocated from the Los Angeles area to Solvang, and “we’ve become another husband-and-wife team, just like the Morettis,” Michael Robinson said.

“We understand the business model, as well as the brands.”

The new owners will continue to offer “Taste’s” favorite labels, which number approximately 20, among them Paul Lato, Sea Smoke, Mail Road, Ojai’s Walson Holland and other elite producers who focus on pinot noir, chardonnay and select Rhone varietals.

The couple plan to focus on education about the brands that comprise the Sta. Rita Hills region.

“Education is a part of who we are and why we are here,” Marlene Robinson said. “We will continue to highlight and the star producers who help define the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.”

The couple encourage guests to book appointments, but welcome walk-in visitors as long as there is space to host.

Information: tasteofstaritahills.com/.

Alma Rosa Winery Adds New Vice President of Sales

Jeff Chaney has joined Alma Rosa Winery as vice president of sales, according to general manager Debra Eagle. Chaney will oversee all direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales and wholesale distribution, including hospitality programs at Alma Rosa’s Solvang tasting room and at the Ranch House on the Santa Rosa Road estate.

Chaney came to Alma Rosa from Grimm’s Bluff Winery, where for six years he was general manager. Before Grimm’s Bluff, he was employed by the Miller Family Wine Company.

A native of the Central Coast, Chaney earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and new media from California Lutheran University. Following graduation, he worked as wine buyer for Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos, and then as wine director at The Cliff’s Hotel and Spa in Pismo Beach and its sister properties: Apple Farm, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Sea Venture. Chaney is also a former member of the Santa Barbara Vintners’ board of directors.

Alma Rosa was founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford. Today the winery is owned by Bob and Barb Zorich, who purchased it in 2014. Samra Morris took the helm as winemaker in 2019.

Flying Blue and Winemaker Alisa Jacobson Join Forces

Flying Blue, a collection of industry veterans founded in 2018 by Roger Scommegna and Ryan Kepler, announced in early November a partnership with Central Coast-based winemaker Alisa Jacobson.

Flying Blue, based in Chicago, specializes in winemaking, sourcing, logistics, packaging and design with an international footprint.

The partnership will bring Jacobson’s Rare North, Avec Moi and Alisa Jacobson brands to Flying Blue’s network. While Jacobson is known for crafting wines from cool-climate regions, the partnership with Flying Blue will support environmentally conscious female-owned winemakers and brands with a sense of place.

The Rare North and Avec Moi brands highlight Jacobson’s winemaking ventures in Oregon and on the Central Coast, respectively. And with Flying Blue, Jacobson has launched a new brand called “Alisa Jacobson,” which includes a sparkling wine, a sauvignon blanc and a cabernet sauvignon.

Rare North, a Willamette Valley pinot noir sourced from LIVE sustainable and organic vineyard sources, launched with a score of 93 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Avec Moi debuted with an organic rosé that has the attention of those focused on organic non-GMO foods and wines.

“Flying Blue is the ideal sales and marketing company for these brands,” Jacobson said.

“Apart from having the same values, I’m enamored with their stellar all-female sales team! They’re innovative and energetic and have cast a broad, yet discerning, net in the marketplace.”

Jacobson, a viticulture and enology graduate from UC Davis, has produced varietals ranging from California sparkling wine to Argentina malbec. In 2003, she joined Joel Gott Wines and eventually rose to vice president of winemaking, managing all winery and vineyard operations in California, Oregon, Washington, and Gott’s projects in Argentina, Chile, Italy, France and New Zealand until 2021.

A resident of San Luis Obispo County, Jacobson owns two vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, and utilizes winery operations outside of Los Olivos.

Jacobson is also focused on helping the wine industry mitigate and adapt to climate change.

She is co-chairperson of the Unified Grape and Wine Symposium program development committee for both the 2023 and 2024 conventions, which take place each January in Sacramento.

Jacobson also participates in the Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the Winegrape Smoke Exposure SCRI Grant, and is chairperson of the research committee on the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force.