Winemaker: Jon McPherson, Master Winemaker, and Javier Flores

Winemakers are always most passionate about their individual creations; but when you get our two champion winemakers together, the sparks fly and their combined creative energy flows right into each and every bottle created at South Coast Winery. Their goals are quite simple: to produce the very best wine and retaining a sense of personality for each individual wine. "It's about letting the grapes speak," says Master Winemaker Jon McPherson, "Javier and I simply listen and then carefully nurture the process."

Jon McPherson was raised in Lubbock, Texas, and comes from an extensive winemaking background. His father, 'Doc' McPherson was instrumental in the growth of the wine industry in the state of Texas. Jon remembers helping his father plant grapes at Llano Estacado Winery, while his mother Clara was a professor of Food and Nutrition at Texas Tech.

In 1985, armed with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Technology with a minor in Chemistry from Texas Tech University, Jon came to Southern California determined to make his mark in the sparkling wine industry. In 1986, he did just that by earning the Winemaker title at Culbertson Winery. It was Jon's leadership and expertise that resulted in a record number of medals and catapulted the winery (known today as Thornton Winery) to the distinguished position of "America's Most Honored Sparkling Wine Producer." Today, we're pleased to call Jon McPherson our Master Winemaker.

Javier Flores was seemingly born to be a winemaker, as his first steps were taken in Mexico's LaCetto Winery. Like Jon, Javier's father, too, was heavily involved in the wine industry, and as a young boy, Javier loved to watch the magical process of turning the juice of the vine into wine.

In 1986, Javier earned his degree as a Biochemist Engineer with a minor in Food Sciences from the Tecnologico de Tijuana. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife came to the United States, when by chance he met Jon McPherson; and today, we're proud to bestow upon him the title of Winemaker.

Jon and Javier have been inseparable ever since, and their legacy continues here at South Coast Winery.

Annual Production: 50,000 cases

Futures
Carter Estate Vineyard released coming 2007! Accepting applications now at www.wineresort.com.

Grape Varieties Planted

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chardonnay
• Colombard
• Gewurztraminer
• Malbec
• Muscat Canelli
• Petit Verdot
• Petite Sirah
• Pinot Gris / Grigio
• Pinot Noir
• Riesling
• Sangiovese
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Semillon
• Syrah / Shiraz
• Tempranillo / Valdepenas
• Tinta Cao
• Viognier
• Zinfandel