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20 events found.

Events

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  • August 2025

  • Fri 22

    Annual Blanc Party

    August 22, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Celebrate the new vintage of Hallberg Blanc with us! We’ll be honoring the Blanc with a full-on white party - so dress to impress in white and come taste the […]

  • September 2025

  • Sun 14

    Feast Above the River

    September 14, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Guerneville Pedestrian Bridge

    Save the date for Taste West County’s annual Feast Above the River.  More details to come.

  • October 2025

  • Sat 18

    Harvest Trail

    October 18, 2025 @ 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Experience fall in wine country and follow the trail our grapes take from vine to crush pad while meeting our team, sampling new releases and special wines paired with small […]

  • November 2025

  • Fri 7

    Fall Club Afternoon Hangout

    November 7, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Save on shipping and join us Friday afternoon to taste through the new releases in our fall wine shipment paired with some tasty snacks. Please RSVP on the link below. […]

  • January 2026

  • Sat 31

    Passion 4 Pinot

    January 31
    Palm Springs

    Join us at the sixth annual Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival, also known as Passion4Pinot! Mari will be pouring at the Grand Tasting on Saturday, January 31st, along with over […]

  • February 2026

  • Fri 13

    Emeritus Sweetheart Pairing

    February 13 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Surprise your sweetheart or gather your girlfriends for the ultimate pairing of colorful French macarons and Emeritus! This delightful experience will pair four different flavors of macarons alongside four of […]

  • Sat 14

    Emeritus Sweetheart Pairing

    February 14 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Surprise your sweetheart or gather your girlfriends for the ultimate pairing of colorful French macarons and Emeritus! This delightful experience will pair four different flavors of macarons alongside four of […]

  • Sun 15

    Emeritus Sweetheart Pairing

    February 15 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Surprise your sweetheart or gather your girlfriends for the ultimate pairing of colorful French macarons and Emeritus! This delightful experience will pair four different flavors of macarons alongside four of […]

  • Mon 16

    Liberty & Libations at Region Wine Bar

    February 16 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    Region Wine Bar 180 Morris St,, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Join us on President’s Day to celebrate liberty with some tasty libations! From 3-5pm, enjoy 20% off the Wine Wall, and we’ll be pouring our soon-to-be-released 2022 Hallberg Ranch for […]

  • Wed 18

    Wine Bingo at Region Wine Bar

    February 18 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
    Region Wine Bar 180 Morris St,, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Riggs & Glen will be pouring our soon-to-be-released 2022 Hallberg Ranch and hosting Wine Bingo! Winning is just one number (or sip) away! Join us for a fun and interactive […]

    $16
  • Fri 20

    Live Music and Collab Pouring at Region Wine Bar

    February 20 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
    Region Wine Bar 180 Morris St,, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Join us for a very special collaboration with Scherrer wines.  Fred (and his wines) are a fan favorite of the staff at Emeritus, so we’re pairing up for a collaborative […]

  • Fri 27

    Meet the Maker at Region Wine Bar

    February 27 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
    Region Wine Bar 180 Morris St,, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Meet Emeritus’ Winemaker at Region! Come meet Keith and taste through a special flight of 2021 Hallberg Brut and our soon-to-be-released 2022 Hallberg Ranch, 2022 Pinot Hill, and 2022 Hallberg […]

    $30
  • March 2026

  • Fri 20

    Chef Charlie Palmer’s Pigs & Pinot

    March 20
    Appellation Healdsburg Hotel , United States

    We’re excited to be part of the 19th Annual Celebration of Pigs & Pinot. Emeritus will be among one of the 60 highly acclaimed Pinots poured at the festival kickoff […]

  • April 2026

  • Sat 18

    End of Frost Pinot & Pig Palooza

    April 18 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Join us to celebrate the end of frost and the beginning of spring at Hallberg Ranch. Meet our winemaking and vineyard teams, enjoy the new […]

  • Thu 23

    Sonoma County Vintners Pour & Explore – Pinot Noir

    April 23 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
    Bricoleur Vineyards 7394 Starr Road, Windsor, CA

    Join Keith for an unforgettable evening of sipping, swirling, and discovery of outstanding Sonoma County Pinot Noir. Produced by Sonoma County Vintners in collaboration with Sommelier Chris Sawyer, this festive […]

    $75
  • Fri 24

    Côtes de Coeur/Dallas Wine Auction

    April 24
    Omni Dallas Hotel , United States

    The American Heart Association Côtes du Coeur boasts one of the largest fine wine auctions in the Southwest, serves the ultimate in fine dining cuisine from local celebrity chefs, and […]

  • May 2026

  • Sat 9

    Green Valley Food & Wine Festival

    May 9 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Graton Town Square , United States

    The Green Valley Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of local flavors, community, and connection. Held in the heart of the Green Valley, this event brings together our watershed's […]

  • June 2026

  • Sat 13

    Summer Winemaker Dinner

    June 13 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    Enjoy a summer night with a view out over the vines on Hallberg  Ranch.  Join Mari and Keith for a very special evening of great wine paired with a menu crafted […]

  • Fri 19

    Solstice Tasting

    June 19 @ 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    In celebration of the Summer Solstice, we have a special tasting of all five wines from our Pinot Hill vineyard. Experience the difference in morning and afternoon sunlight when tasting […]

  • Sat 20

    Solstice Tasting

    June 20 @ 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
    Emeritus Vineyard Winery 2500 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA, United States

    In celebration of the Summer Solstice, we have a special tasting of all five wines from our Pinot Hill vineyard. Experience the difference in morning and afternoon sunlight when tasting […]

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Abby Carvajal

Tasting Room Lead

Abby was born and raised just 18 miles south of Emeritus in Petaluma. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the wine and agriculture industries, her path into wine felt like a natural progression. She recently graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Economics, combining her passion for agriculture with a strong business perspective.

Abby gained her first hands-on experience in the wine industry during last fall’s harvest at DeLoach Vineyards, where she developed a deep appreciation for the craft. However, after many early mornings with little conversation, she realized her true strengths lay in connecting with people. This insight led her to transition into wine hospitality, where she now serves as the Tasting Room Lead at Emeritus.

Today, Abby thrives on creating welcoming, memorable experiences for guests and takes great joy in connecting over a shared love of wine. When she’s not in the tasting room, you can find her hiking, cheering on the Giants, or enjoying time out at Bodega Bay.

Paige Hansen

Ambassador of Fun

Paige Hansen has been an E-Club member for years and is now our Ambassador of Fun! She has worked in hospitality for quite a while and has a degree in culinary arts.

When Paige and her husband moved to California in 2016, they spent their first day as Californians at our End of Frost Party. Drinking Emeritus and munching on pizza was a great way to wrap up their long drive from Pennsylvania.

Paige is an enthusiastic dog mom to three rescue pups – Zoey, Piper, and Wooly (her most recent foster fail). She loves making them lots of treats and exploring dog friendly restaurants and wineries. She is also a fantastic photographer and often has her equipment along with her. In her free time, you will likely find her discussing the meals she is planning or sharing her homemade treats with dogs and humans alike.

Glen Kueffner

Tasting Room Manager

Glen Kueffner was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has also lived in Colorado, Costa Rica, and New Mexico. Having seen a good portion of the continental United States in his early years, he decided that he had enough of long, sub-zero winters with no mountains.

Upon graduating high school, Glen set his sights on Sonoma County’s warmer winters and proximity to mountains. He attended Sonoma State University, pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Communications & Media Studies. After graduating in 2019, he attended Chico State University. There, he received a Master’s Degree in Parks & Recreation, Hospitality Administration, and Management in Spring 2021. Glen then returned his focus to Sonoma County and became the Member Experience Coordinator (eventually Director of Member Experience) at Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club.

Glen fell in love with Emeritus Vineyards after hearing about our commitment to sustainability and array of Pinot Noirs. He joined the team in early July of 2022.

While not working, Glen enjoys disc golfing, camping, cooking, traveling, visiting taprooms and breweries, watching the Chicago Blackhawks, and spending time with his partner and their dog, Reighn.

Hilary Berkey

Inspirer of Joy

While Hilary was first introduced to wine studying abroad in the sun-drenched vineyards of South Africa, she brings over two decades of working in wine to her position of Director of Sales, Marketing and Operations. With her other title being Inspirer of Joy, it really speaks to the heart of her role at Emeritus Vineyards.

Originally from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Hilary had her first wine tasting experience as a Rotary high school exchange student in South Africa. She then went on to earn a BA in international studies from American University, Washington DC, and both an MBA and an MS in agriculture from Cal Poly. While studying at Cal Poly, Berkey began her career in the wine and spirits industry at Wild Horse Winery. In the years since, she has held positions with Diageo, Constellation, Treasury Wine Estates, Vintage Wine Estates and most recently with Raventós Codorníu. In addition to her two decades of wine industry experience, Hilary is a Level II – Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and holds a Level 4 Diploma from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

“From my roots in the Willamette Valley to my time at Wild Horse, Etude and Artesa, I have always been passionate about Pinot Noir, so the opportunity to work at a small, family winery dedicated exclusively to making estate-grown Pinot Noirs is incredibly exciting.”

A lover of dogs, Hilary’s first rescue was a schnauzer and she currently is mom to Quill, a tiny white sassy rescue schnauzer. An avid traveler, Hilary has traveled to six of the seven continents and thirty three countries to date and she is always looking to add another stamp to her passport.

Keith Hammond

Winemaker

Keith Hammond was born and raised in Sebastopol, a true Sonoma County native. From the start, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir has set a high standard for Keith and has largely shaped his vision and expectations for fine wine. Keith originally joined the Emeritus Vineyards team in 2007 and honed his craft working alongside all three of his winemaking predecessors – Don Blackburn, Nicolas Cantacuzène, and David Lattin. Under the mentorship of founding winemaker Don Blackburn, Keith played a key role in crafting some of the winery’s earliest wines. After Blackburn’s passing in 2009, Keith spent six years working alongside Winemaker Nicolas Cantacuzène refining the Emeritus Vineyards style.

In 2016, eager to augment his experience working with other regions and varietals, Keith joined Inglenook as Cellar Master, where he worked with Philippe Bascaules, the Managing Director of Château Margaux and Inglenook. “Philippe showed me the Chateau Margaux way.  He also cemented what I’d learned at Emeritus – that wines can shine when made in a graceful and restrained style.”

“My time away from Emeritus taught me that Pinot Noir is in my DNA, When I returned here, I knew that I wanted to spend my career crafting Pinot Noirs that explore the beauty and character of Hallberg Ranch and Pinot Hill. This belief has only grown over the past five years. The approach we have here—all Pinot Noir, all estate, all dry farmed—is so unique and special, as are the wines it produces. I’m proud to continue the work begun by Don, Nicholas and Dave, and to work alongside Mari and our amazing team to carry on the Emeritus Vineyards legacy.”

In 2017, Keith was invited to rejoin Emeritus Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker alongside Winemaker David Lattin. In the years that followed, Dave and Keith forged a highly collaborative partnership as they worked to perfect the Emeritus style. This included converting fermentations to native yeast, adopting new methods for cold stabilization, adding new forests to the barrel program, reducing toast levels, and working to identify the most extraordinary vineyard blocks to create new small-production wines. In 2023, Keith took over the role of Winemaker from David who transitioned to the consulting role of Winemaker Emeritus.

When Keith’s not making wine, he loves to explore new places, new wines, and new food with his wife Amber.

Riggs Lokka

Vineyard Manager

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Riggs Lokka was raised in the wine industry—from going to work with his dad at Sonoma Cutrer to going with his mom to Glenn Ellen Winery. When Emeritus Vineyards was established, he planted vines alongside the vineyard crew and has been a piece of the puzzle ever since.

When the Lokkas moved to the ranch in 2004, Riggs enrolled at El Molino High School and took an agriculture class, where he discovered a love for animals. This also planted the seed for teaching. He actively participated in 4H as a member, and flourished in FFA where he excelled in career development events. While in high school, Riggs competed in Livestock Judging and Grapevine Pruning. His skills and hard work paid off there, propelling him towards being a State Champion Livestock Judge in 2007 and three-time Sonoma County Pruning Champion.

After completing high school Riggs moved on to Santa Rosa Junior College, where he earned associate degrees in Animal Science and Vineyard Management, and then to Fresno State for a degree in Teaching as well. While at Fresno State he managed the vegetable crop unit, sheep unit, and in his spare time would also cut meat in the 100% student-run Fresno State Meat Lab.

Riggs went into teaching in 2013 at Santa Rosa High School, instructing students in Animal Science and Viticulture. Three years later he decided to try something different; he moved south to Stockton and taught Agriculture Mechanics (welding and woodshop). Every summer, when not attending fairs and helping kids with projects, Riggs returned home to work alongside his father Kirk at Emeritus.

In July of 2020, Riggs decided that while teaching for seven years had been incredibly fulfilling, he was ready to transition to his final career. He moved back to Sonoma County and joined the Emeritus Vineyards crew full time, and these days can be found either out in the vineyards, popping into the tasting room to provide a laugh, or with his wife Emily, Mini Heeler dog Jade, and cat Ivy.

Kirk Lokka

Vineyard Manager Emeritus

Kirk Lokka has a well-earned reputation as one of the most accomplished and respected vineyard managers in North America. He has brought a meticulous level of detail and thoughtfulness to planning and planting Emeritus’ estate vineyards. This visionary approach includes dry farming at both vineyards—further elevating the remarkable quality of our California Pinot Noir fruit.

Kirk was born and raised in Sonoma. He first decided on a career in farming at age eight, while riding the tractor at his grandfather’s farm. After receiving his degree in plant science from Fresno State University, he worked on a large cotton farm in Corcoran, California. There, he learned two important things: he did not want to grow cotton, nor to work in the Central Valley. As soon as he could, he moved home to Sonoma County and took a job as a foreman at Sonoma–Cutrer in 1981. His knowledge and dedication quickly earned him the promotion to vineyard manager.

During his 23-year career at Sonoma–Cutrer, Kirk oversaw over 1,200 acres of estate vineyards, including the planting of acclaimed Vine Hill and Owsley Ranch vineyards. Throughout this period, Kirk also helped found the Russian River Valley Winegrowers association, where he served as two-time president. Sonoma County named him “Agri-Business Person of the Year” in 1997.

While at Sonoma–Cutrer, Kirk became good friends with the winery’s founder, Brice Cutrer Jones. They discovered Hallberg Ranch in the mid-90s and coveted it until 1999, when Brice sold Sonoma–Cutrer. When founding Emeritus together, Brice and Kirk did so with the goal of establishing the finest Pinot Noir vineyard in California. Several members of Kirk’s vineyard crew followed him to Emeritus, forming the core of our acclaimed 17-person, full-time vineyard team.

“As a vineyard manager, it is incredibly rare when you are given the perfect piece of land to plant a vineyard, and all of the resources necessary to do it exactly the way you know it should be done.”

In 2007, Kirk and Brice took inspiration from their friends in Burgundy began transitioning into dry farming at Hallberg Ranch. The following year, Kirk began planting Pinot Hill, a smaller estate vineyard located in the Sebastopol Hills. Dry farming both vineyards established Emeritus as a viticultural leader. Today the two vineyards combined give Emeritus over 140 acres, forming the largest dry-farmed Pinot Noir estate in Sonoma County. Possibly in all of California! In acknowledgment of his pioneering work at Emeritus, the Sonoma County Winegrowers Association honored Kirk as the “Sonoma County Grower of the Year” in 2017.

Kirk lives on Hallberg Ranch with his wife. He raises sheep and goats at his house, occasionally running the sheep in the vineyard to mow and fertilize. A firm believer in passing on his knowledge to future generations, Kirk avidly supports local 4-H clubs and wine country ag programs.

“Emeritus means to earn through service. I chose the name because Emeritus is the culmination of everything I have learned about wine throughout my life. But I also chose it because what we are striving to achieve is something unique and special. It is a goal that has to be earned. Everyone here believes passionately in what we are doing. This spirit is an essential part of our wines.”

Brice Jones

Founder Emeritus

As the son and grandson of West Point officers, Brice learned to fly when he was just 13 years old. He attended the brand new Air Force Academy and graduated as part of the second class ever in 1961. In 1965, after serving as a fighter pilot in Vietnam, Brice was appointed aide-de-camp to the general in charge of the Vietnam air war. The general also happened to be an avid wine enthusiast.

“One of the things I learned from him was how little I knew about wine. But the hook was set, and when I retired from the Air Force, I left with a passion for wine.”

Returning to the United States, Brice attended Harvard Business School for the knowledge needed to establish his own vineyard. After earning his MBA in 1972, he founded Sonoma–Cutrer Vineyards. Within the year he was planting estate vineyards in Sonoma County, focusing exclusively on Chardonnay. This made him an early pioneer in the white wine boom that quickly reshaped the American wine landscape. Over the next quarter century Brice established more than 1,000 acres of Chardonnay and built Sonoma–Cutrer into one of America’s most acclaimed wineries. He also developed enduring friendships with some of the most esteemed vintners in Burgundy. In 1999, he was inducted into the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin at a special ceremony at Clos de Vougeot.

That same year, Brice sold Sonoma–Cutrer Vineyards. Some might have embraced the moment as an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Brice, however, immediately began writing a remarkable new chapter in a story that has already seen him go from being an Air Force pilot to one of America’s most respected vintners.

He purchased Hallberg Ranch and founded Emeritus Vineyards with no intention of planting the grape he had built his reputation on. Instead, he had his heart set on creating a new benchmark for New World Pinot Noir. Unlike many California vintners, he has no qualms about citing Burgundy as the inspiration for Emeritus.

“Over the years, the things I have learned about growing and making Pinot Noir from my friends and colleagues in Burgundy have been incredibly eye-opening. While it’s been amazing to see what North America has accomplished over the past 50 years, the French have been refining their methods for more than 1,300 years.”

As the founder of Emeritus Vineyards, Brice has dedicated two decades to establishing one of California’s finest Pinot Noir estates. Today, his daughter Mari and the Emeritus Team makes some of the New World’s most dynamic and complex Pinot Noirs from more than 140 acres of vines spread between two grand cru-caliber, dry-farmed vineyards.

“Emeritus means to earn through service. I chose the name because Emeritus is the culmination of everything I have learned about wine throughout my life. But I also chose it because what we are striving to achieve is something unique and special. It is a goal that has to be earned. Everyone here believes passionately in what we are doing. This spirit is an essential part of our wines.”

Mari Jones

President (Of Fun)

As president, Mari Jones oversees all aspects of Emeritus Vineyards. Like her father, Brice Cutrer Jones, Mari believes in a collaborative approach that empowers the talented Emeritus team. She works closely with Vineyard Manager Kirk Lokka and Winemaker Dave Lattin to cultivate high standards of excellence at Emeritus.

Mari grew up playing, camping, and even learning to drive on the Sonoma–Cutrer Estate. At the age of 12, she took her first trip to Burgundy with her father to buy barrels. It was there where Mari discovered Pinot Noir. In a centuries-old cellar, she turned to her father with a glass of Pinot in hand and told him, “This wine is better than yours. You should make wine like this.” Brice was speechless (and in complete agreement).

“That experience gave me a new perspective on my family business. It was also when I fell in love with Pinot Noir.”

Though an early passion for wine had been instilled in Mari, she was eager to chart her own path. After earning a philosophy degree at Colgate University, she moved to Colorado and worked at the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program. In 2012, after years of giving her father advice from afar, he invited Mari to return to wine country to build a tasting room. Over the next three years, Mari oversaw the design and construction of the Emeritus tasting room, and in 2017, USA Today named Emeritus the “#1 Winery Tour in the USA.” She also founded our E-Club, which in the years since has grown into a thriving community of wine enthusiasts.

“From the beginning, we’ve strived to create experiences and build relationships that are personal and meaningful. More than just sharing our wines, we want to share who we are, what we do, and why we love doing it. The more I focused on these goals, the more I knew that Emeritus was something that I wanted to be a part of for decades to come.”

As the dedicated second generation to our family-run winery, Mari is active in the wine community. She believes in the power of educating consumers and trade about the beauty of her region, and that together the community can accomplish more than any one individual. She is on the board of directors for the Russian River Valley Winegrowers and Russian River Valley Pinot Forum. She works with the Sonoma County Vintners International Committee to sell and promote Sonoma County wines all over the world. She also works with the Sonoma County Vintners New Gen Committee, who work to create a collaborative environment for young winemakers and owners, and to promote Sonoma County to the next generation of wine enthusiasts. Mari is a mentor to up-and-coming wine professionals through The Verasion Project and Batonnage. In part due to this work she was named one of the ’40 Under 40′ by the North Bay Business Journal in 2022.

At the winery, Mari works with the team to produce the most elegant expressions of Pinot Noir from our vineyards. These wines match the complexity and depth of the ones she first fell in love with in Burgundy, but with a style that’s all California (much like herself). She approaches her role with a long-term vision of sustainability in every sense, from the land to our Emeritus family and beyond.

When not at the winery or traveling the world to share Emeritus, you can find Mari snowboarding, hiking with her dog Mocha or volunteering.