Characters with wine | Wines with character

WINEMAKER STORIES FOR THE WINE MEDIA

wine characters wine maker illustration wine bottle

Who are these Wine Characters, and why should I care?

For the Media

Wine Characters are Winemakers with unique and interesting stories to tell. They believe that their brand values, transparency,  work practices, and professional insights matter to you as much as the quality of their wines. You’ll receive story leads monthly with their insights and perspectives, wines of character, and what makes their brand unique. Read the 2025 Press Release here.

I will share these producer profiles and their stories, hoping you find them as intriguing as I have, and worthy of your editorial pursuits. These wine industry leaders would love to hear from you. Consider these interviews – which include website and contact info – your invite to work with them. See FAQ/Media Resources.

For Wineries

This is a 3-question Interview, with an Optional Bonus Question.

I’ll distribute your interviews to wine, travel, and lifestyle media to get your stories out there. Additionally, you can use your interview as content for social and digital marketing. And, there is no cost or catch. Interested? Go to the FAQ Page to request an Interview.

Characters with Wine

Vineyards have terroir. Winemakers have stories.


While important, the goal of these interviews is not to understand the terroir of vineyards or philosophies of winemaking, but rather, the stories of the winemakers and their brands. Stories make wine interesting and resonate with wine writers, buyers, and consumers who want to know who’s behind the bottle, and what they believe and support. Stories form the basis for connection, both editorially and commercially. Thus, what’s Your Story?

Benjamin Leiva, MontGras Winery

Benjamin Leiva is the winemaker at Mongras Winery in Colchagua Valley, Chile.  While at university, an inspiring professor sparked his interest and set him on a career in wine. After...

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Sarah Lyons, Lyons Vineyard

Sarah Lyons is the co-founder and winegrower at Lyons Vineyard in the Los Olivos District AVA in Santa Barbara Wine Country. She and her husband, Skye, began with two acres...

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Corey Turnbull, Rubix Wines

Corey Turnbull is the owner and head winemaker of Rubrix Wines in Cottonwood, located in the Verde Valley, Arizona. A resident of the Verde Valley for 35 years, he has...

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Alisa Jacobson, Turning Tides Wines

Alisa “AJ” Jacobson is the winemaker at Turning Tides Wines in Santa Ynez, CA. She is a Northern California native raised in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta; she grew up farming,...

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Viviana Navarrete, Viña Leyda

Viviana Navarrete is the Chief Winemaker at Viña Leyda in Leyda Valley, a small coastal subregion of the San Antonio Valley in central Chile. She is an Agricultural Engineer from...

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