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About Us

A story of great wine made with passion
about santori wines

Based in the beautiful Sonoma Valley we’ve been making wines with passion since 1979 and our boutique production is finally available for the general public in 2018, since then we won the following awards:

  • Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2020 for his Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
  • Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2021 for the Carneros Pinot Noir
  • Silver Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2021 for the Chardonnay
  • Silver Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2020 for the Zinfandal, Pinot Grigio
  • Silver Medals at the Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition in 2021 for his Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, John’s Super T and Pinot Noir
  • Bronze Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2021 for the Napa Valley Rosato Di Sangiovese
  • First place with his Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel in the annual competition at the Golden Gate Wine Society in San Francisco in 1999
  • First place in the California State Fair in 1995 and 1996 for Cabernet Sauvignon.
John Santori
Owner / Winemaker

After John graduated out of University of California in Biochemistry, he started to develop an interest in making wine.

He actually started making wine in 1977 with several close friends. Over the coming years John went from making wine in one barrel to several barrels.

By the end of the 1980’s John was doing 6 barrels of wine a year. In the 1990’s he expanded his wine making to include the families of his clients and friends.

During the 90’s John entered several county and state fairs.

He took many first places in several county fairs throughout California including 1st places for Cabernet Sauvignon in the California State fairs in in 1995 and 1996. Since then, he’s wines keep winning international awards

santori wines john santori
LEO MARTINEZ
Winemaker

With a wealth of knowledge accumulated over the last 32 years, Leo has proved himself to be a winemaker well versed in his trade. Weaving his way through as a winery and cellar worker, he gradually worked his way up the grapevine to become the acclaimed winemaker he now is. Journeying through the wine making process, Leo is familiar with all the intricacies and secret savoir-faire. Leo’s Philosophy is simple.

He recognizes that with each bottle of wine we make, we pay homage to the winery and the vineyard workers who contribute their hard work and dedication. And, without whom there would be no fine wines.

santori wines leo martinez
NEWS
Santori Wines
 
January 20, 2022 | Santori Wines

2020 medal winners/2020-526

Cabernet Sauvignon: $90.00 and Over: 2020 Awards  Continue »

Santori Wines
 
January 20, 2022 | Santori Wines

Why is oak used in winemaking

One of the most important things that people often want to know about a wine is whether it’s ‘oaky’ or not. But why is oak so famously used in winemaking, and what does it give to the wine?  Continue »

Santori Wines
 
January 20, 2022 | Santori Wines

What makes wine so delicious

Wine is comprised of many chemical compounds and is often described by professionals in whimsical terms. But what does it all mean? What makes one wine taste different then another? Before dive into the notes of lemon curd topped with a slightly bruleed meringue met with a spring ocean breeze.... we need to understand the basic structure of wine.  Continue »