Hard work helps turn couple's dream into reality
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

A TASTE OF SUCCESS- Moorpark resident Mike Brown takes a small sample of wine from a large, oak barrel. The wine- one of six 2005 varietals set to debut in June- is made in Camarillo, where Brown and his wife will open the Cantara Cellars winery and wine tasting room in early summer.

Mike Brown uncorks the large oak barrel and delicately draws out a sample of the golden Sauvignon Blanc that is just about ready for bottling.

He pours the amber wine into a small glass and hands it to his wife, Chris, who brings it to her nose and inhales gently. She smiles and takes a sip, savoring the fruits of their labor.

The Moorpark couple is three short months away from introducing their winery's first run- a 2005 selection of six varietals. The Browns' debut as professional winemakers will include the opening of their Camarillobased Cantara Cellars winery in early June.

The couple is in the midst of transforming a 2,300-square-foot industrial warehouse into a winery complete with production facility and wine-tasting room that will feature Cantara's ambitious first run.

The Browns hope to attract Southern California wine lovers who might otherwise drive to the central coast of California for wine tasting.

"That's the business model," Mike said, standing in the boutique winery tucked into an industrial business park off Ventura Boulevard just south of the 101 Freeway. "You don't have to drive that far for a good wine."

What started as a hobby has blossomed into a $93,000 investment the couple hope will help support their retirement.

Mike, a partner with a Westlake Village-based business consulting firm, says the California wine industry continues to grow and that boutique wineries are attracting interest from those looking to learn more about the winemaking process.

"You're closer to the people making the wine," Mike said. "You're going to meet us. We're going to be the ones pouring. If you have a question, we're going to answer your question. It's a different relationship as compared to a regular wine shop."

The industry's growth remains steady. According to a recent report released by the Wine Institute of California- the San Francisco-based advocacy group that represents a number of the state's wine makers and growers- California wine sales reached $16.5 billion in 2005.

The institute also reported that production at California wineries has increased nearly 20 percent over the past decade.

Wine consumption also has jumped, thanks primarily to the aging baby boomer population.

Chris, an inventory control analyst for electronics manufacturer Power One, said the couple's journey began five years ago when they bought a winemaking kit from Squashed Grapes on Ventura Boulevard in Old Town.

"We've enjoyed wine for at least 15 years," Chris said. "I wouldn't say we were connoisseurs, but we knew what we liked."

Chris recalled the success of their first small batch and how it sparked their thirst to make bigger, better wines. In 2004, the pair decided they wanted to start their winemaking at the vine and made their way to Mike's parents' 28acre farm in Lodi, Calif.

Since the 1800s, his family has been in Northern California, where they've been involved in growing grapes and winemaking for decades.

In Chris and Mike's first year, Chris said, they picked about 250 pounds of grapes- enough to make about a barrel of wine.

"We had the whole family out there fretting over these 250 pounds of grapes," Chris said. "It really wasn't a big deal, looking back at it, but we thought it was."

Emboldened by another quality batch of wine, the couple jumped in with both feet and picked, literally, a ton of grapes in 2005. Mike said they also bought grapes from a handful of vineyards his family had established relationships with during their 150 years in the wine-rich region.

Those grapes would become the Browns' debut line of wines- making nearly 260 cases of Zinfandel, Temprenillo, Granash, Petite Syrah, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.

"We're making so many wines to start with because we want those who come here to have a winetasting experience that won't be over in just 10 minutes," Mike said.

The couple has hosted a number of private tastings, and Mike said the wines have enjoyed an overwhelmingly positive reception.

Chris, a Ventura native, said the couple is more excited than nervous about opening their winery.

"We're so excited, we lay awake at night talking about the opening," Chris said. Because both work full-time jobs, getting the winery ready to open means they're working seven days a week.

"We're crazy people. We're workaholics," Chris said with a laugh. But the parents of four say the sacrifices are worth it.

"We love it," said Chris. "This is the best job in the world."

To learn more about Cantara, call (805) 558-6552 or visit www.cantaracellars.com.