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Blaine Wines is born from an ever-evolving love for the great wines of the world and committed to crafting small production, artisanal wines that capture the essence of iconic vineyards throughout California.
Our winemaking philosophy blends traditional winemaking techniques with modern equipment and technology while embracing a spirit of curiosity and continuous learning. We are proponents of the idea that “less is more,” intervening only when necessary to produce expressive, transparent wines. Instead of creating a standard protocol and defining style for all the wines, the goal is to unlock how each particular wine should be made in a given year. This approach is preached by many, but is only possible when working with high-quality fruit sources, being involved in all facets of winemaking and keeping production small. From the vineyard to the bottle, our meticulous attention to detail ensures that every wine is a true reflection of our passion and commitment to quality while preserving each wine’s authenticity.
We aspire to craft wines that stand among the world’s finest while staying connected to our Northern California roots. We thoughtfully source grapes from exceptional sites, spanning diverse regions throughout the state. Our wines aim to capture the distinct terroir of each vineyard, reflecting the unique characteristics of each site and honoring the growers we work with. At the same time, Blaine is unrooted from any specific place or piece of land. Blaine sources from a handful of vineyards, ranging from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County to the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. Our focus on noble grape varieties—both mainstream (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah) and less common (Nebbiolo, Riesling) —allows an exploration of the full spectrum of flavors and styles that California has to offer.
We believe in sharing our winemaking journey with our customers because we are avid wine consumers ourselves. The joy of wine is truly experienced when shared with others, whether it’s a simple moment or an evening where the people, the food and the laughter turn into an unforgettable memory.
That’s why we hope to share not only our wines, but a deeper insight into what goes into each bottle-from the challenges of each harvest to the nuances of blending and aging decisions. We invite you to join us on our journey and discover our vision of the essence of California winemaking.
Blaine has been a family name for 3 generations. It was Matt and Derek’s paternal grandfather’s first name, and it’s a middle name that Derek shares with his late father, Phil. Phil inspired his sons not only as an entrepreneur and optimist, but as someone who treated everyone with kindness and respect. He also had a zest for life and enjoyed fine wine and spending time with his family. It’s fitting then that the name Blaine is the Anglicized version of the Old Irish word blá, which means “yellow,” and is traditionally associated with characteristics like brightness, energy, and optimism.
co-founder and the winemaker for Blaine.
The genesis of Derek’s career in winemaking began while working back-to-back harvests in St. Helena and then Mendoza, Argentina, in 2011 and 2012, respectively. With two harvests under his belt, he decided to further his education by studying Enology at Fresno State University. Upon completion in 2014, he took a cellar worker position at Outpost Wines, where he developed a working relationship with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. From there, he spent three years at Jericho Canyon Vineyard, honing his cellar and laboratory skills. He became Jericho Canyon’s Assistant Winemaker, working alongside renowned winemakers Michel Rolland, Aaron Pott, and Heidi Barrett. In 2018, he joined the winemaking team at Tamber Bey and once again partnered with TRB, perfecting wines for many highly regarded custom crush clients. After two years in the Assistant Winemaker role, he was promoted to head winemaker in 2020 and helped revamp the Pinot Noir program. In 2023, Derek accepted an incredible opportunity to make wines for Platt Vineyard, a world-class 40 acre site in western Sonoma County, where he’s making exciting Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Derek’s love of great wines of the world has been influenced through travel, living in Spain for four years and Argentina for a year. He spends time each year in the great wine regions of the world, including Burgundy, Barolo, and Champagne, and he infuses the influence of these regions in Blaine’s wines.
co-founder and head of business operations
Jeremy has spent 25+ years in Program Management and Business Operations for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and tech companies, including Pfizer, Allergan, Genentech, Amgen and Google.
Jeremy’s passion for wine traces back to his upbringing in Kent, an emerging wine region known as the “Garden of England,” located along the southeast coast. Embracing his love for French cuisine, he would embark on day trips across the English Channel, often returning with a backpack loaded with bottles of wine, bread and cheese. Over the years, he cultivated his appreciation for wine through frequent trips to the Ardeche region, Provence, and Tuscany.
Jeremy has been friends with Derek and Matt for over 20 years, meeting when he moved to San Francisco in 2004. They helped Jeremy further his exploration of wine in California and, in his spare time, Jeremy would often work (for wine) with Derek in the vineyards and cellars of Napa Valley.
co-founder and head of marketing
Matt has spent 25+ years doing public relations work for various start-ups and consumer technology brands, including Google, Nest, Microsoft, and Trulia/Zillow.
Matt grew up in Calistoga with his brother Derek, parents, uncle and grandparents and has had the privilege of being around wineries and vineyards in the upper Napa Valley. He spent several years working in fine dining restaurants in Napa and Santa Barbara counties to help pay for college which sparked his interest in fine wines.
A defining moment was a surprise gift from his parents on his 21st birthday – a case of birth year vintage Napa Valley cabernet from various leading producers across Napa Valley. The wine – they first opened a 1976 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon – and the experience of receiving such a thoughtful gift was unforgettable. It left Matt with a sense of the central role time plays in enjoying wine – from the time needed to produce and age it, the precious time spent sharing it with others, and the time that the memories last.