Our Story

This adventure began in 1998 when, on our first trip to look at property, we saw land high up on Diamond Mountain which eventually became our home. Growing wine grapes was not part of the initial vision. In 2000, learning that Diamond Mountain was gaining AVA status, we realized that growing grapes within that AVA should yield something truly unique.

The first vineyard was planted in 2001 and by 2004 the fruit was so extraordinary that a winery, with that vintage, started an eight year run making award winning, vineyard designated, “SummitVine Ranch” Cabernet Sauvignons. The contract changed hands and some of the fruit now finds itself in a flagship Diamond Mountain AVA wine from another award-winning winery.

It seemed the continuation of a “SummitVine Ranch” designated wine was in jeopardy and, over an early summer dinner in 2013, in the company of good friends and winemaker Brett Adams, Susan and I shared our disappointment. Talk was inspiring and in the end Brett, Susan and I agreed to pursue making a limited production, single-vineyard wine from select blocks of the ranch.

After careful deliberation, we decided to label the wine “SummitVine”, a name that would continue on after we could no longer stay and work the steep hillside estate and would stand as a constant tribute to the land that started it all.

Our bonded winery, MK Cellars, proudly crafts wine under the “SummitVine” label, a name that has become synonymous with “vines” growing grapes to their “peak” which produce wines at their “summit”!

This is how SummitVine Ranch was created. These are the roots to our, and now your, SummitVine experience.

Summitvine

Our Timeline

The Purchase

Susan and Michael discover and decide to purchase the raw land on Diamond Mountain.

1998

The Plan

The plans are set it motion to develop the property. Permit process started for a vineyard and home, in that order! Permit to clear the first three acres for vineyards approved.

2000

Cori's Vineyard

Cori’s Vineyard was planted with Cabernet Sauvignon.

2001

Grape Harvest

First grape harvest from Cori’s vineyard and the first SummitVine Ranch designated wine is born. Sophie’s Vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.