About Dark Water Winery
Dark Water Winery grew from the friendship of Reggie Pagaling, an elder of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and Dave Mazzonetto, born in Italy to a family with generations of winemaking behind it. The name honors the Chumash wayfarers who launched their canoes from shore in the earliest morning hours, onto dark water, and the label stewards that coastal heritage in every bottle.
The wines are tiny-lot and unapologetically bold: extended macerations and long barrel aging produce a Happy Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon that has floored more than one critic, old-vine Zinfandel that earned Dave the nickname Zin Man, a Super Tuscan-styled Toscano blend, plus Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, rose and Sauvignon Blanc.
The tasting room in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto is exactly what the Ghetto does best: no chateau, no vineyard views, just a patio with a fun crowd, the winemaker himself talking process for as long as you care to listen, and house-made specialties, from Italian-inspired charcuterie to olive oil and hot sauces. Open Friday through Sunday afternoons, with customized appointment tastings encouraged.
A Chumash elder and an Italian winemaker's bold, tiny-lot reds, poured by the Zin Man himself in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto.
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A friendship-founded labelChumash elder Reggie Pagaling and Italian-born Dave Mazzonetto honor coastal heritage together.
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Bold by convictionExtended maceration and long barrel time yield an acclaimed Happy Canyon Cab and old-vine Zin.
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Meet the makerDave pours personally and will talk winemaking as long as you will listen.
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House-made everythingItalian-inspired charcuterie, olive oil and hot sauces alongside the wine.
"A Chumash elder and an Italian winemaker's bold, tiny-lot reds, poured by the Zin Man himself in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto."
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Current Releases
Wines change with each vintage
For an accurate list of current-release wines and library bottlings from Dark Water Winery, please check the winery'Sta. Rita Hills producers typically rotate vintages and offerings seasonally.
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Dark Water Winery has not published a current tasting menu or pricing that we have been able to verify. Check the winery website for what is being poured and what it costs before you visit.
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