Aperture Cellars is one of the most talked-about new estates in Sonoma County. Founded in 2009 by Jesse Katz — son of celebrated wine photographer Andy Katz — the winery's name reflects the photographic aperture through which light enters a camera, a metaphor for the precision and intentionality of the winemaking.
Jesse Katz built his craft as an assistant winemaker at nine different wineries that produced 100-point wines — including Screaming Eagle and Vérité — before striking out on his own. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon program of remarkable quality and sophistication from Alexander Valley fruit.
The winery building — opened in 2020 on Eastside Road in Healdsburg — was designed by San Francisco architect Howard Backen and is one of the most architecturally spectacular new facilities in Sonoma County. Sweeping views, dramatic interiors, and a level of hospitality that matches the wine quality make this one of the most impressive new winery experiences in the region. Featured in Wine Spectator's Top 100 in 2025.
At its Healdsburg, Sonoma County location, Aperture Cellars presents a featured lineup that includes Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Blend, Blanc, and Rosé. Together, these bottles provide a focused introduction to the varieties, vineyard sources, and style that define the winery's current portfolio.
"Jesse Katz's visually stunning Alexander Valley estate — former assistant winemaker at nine 100-point wines. World-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordea"
🍷
WinoNotion Review
We haven't visited yet
Not Yet Reviewed
Our editorial team hasn't visited this winery yet. If you have, help other wine travelers by sharing your experience.
Scores from Google Maps and Yelp via their official APIs · Updated every 24 hours · Click any row to view full reviews
Winery Video
Aperture Cellars
Click to watch · or paste a URL below to embed
Supports YouTube and Vimeo · e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXXX
Featured Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The flagship — rich, structured Alexander Valley Cabernet showing the precision and intentionality of Jesse Katz's training at 100-point wineries. Consistently 95+ points.
★★★★☆
Bordeaux Blend
Bordeaux Blend
A complex multi-variety blend showing the full range of Bordeaux grapes expressed through the warm, generous Alexander Valley terroir.
★★★★☆
Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Blanc
The estate white — a Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blend showing the elegance and texture that Katz applies across all varietals.
★★★★★
Rosé (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Rosé
A dry, elegant Cab Franc-dominated rosé — pale, precise, and showing what a winemaker trained on the world's finest Bordeaux-style wines can do with pink wine.
A guided tasting of Aperture's Cabernet-focused lineup in the stunning Backen-designed tasting room with sweeping Alexander Valley views.
🥂
Reserve Tasting
$125
An elevated exploration of Aperture's limited releases and single-vineyard bottlings — the full expression of Jesse Katz's 100-point winemaking ambitions.
Photo Gallery
📷
Community Photo Coming Soon
Photos submitted by winery visitors will appear here after review.
This winery does not have any published WinoNotion community reviews yet. Be the first to share a recent visit and help other wine travelers know what to expect.