The Anaba Story
Anaba is the result of a passion for wine that began back in the 1970s. While attending college, Proprietor John Sweazey took several trips to Napa, where he was introduced to wine. A nine-month adventure around Europe ignited John’s interest in wine. It was there that John learned to appreciate the importance of wine to the European culture, experienced warm and welcoming hospitality, and tasted some life-changing wines. He dreamed of recreating that warmth and hospitality at home.
But as is so often the case, life had other more immediate plans in store. Family, children, work…until almost 30 years later when John’s dream came true when he purchased our 16-acre plot of land in the windy heart of the Carneros region of Sonoma. Here is where Anaba Wines was born.
When you visit us here at Anaba, we want you to feel like you belong. The Vintners House is an extension of the Sweazeys home, where everyone has a place at the table.
Sandra DeMaria, Anaba Estate Director
Soil, wind, rain, sun, wine
Wines from the Rhône Valley and Burgundy were John’s favorites during his travels in the early 70s, and are the inspiration for the wines we produce today. As it turns out, Sonoma’s microclimates are ideal for these grape varieties.
The Anaba estate sits in the western part of the Carneros appellation where cool Pacific breezes flow up the gently sloping, sustainably farmed vineyards, slowing down the ripening process and allowing the grapes to develop robust flavors and distinctive varietal characteristics.
On tranquil summer days, as the sun kisses the hills and valleys of Sonoma, unique air currents bring cooling breezes inland from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay. Wafting softly, with some gusts and gales, they glide through the vineyard rows. As they encounter steeper slopes and drift upward, they become anabatic winds.
Soaring glider pilots rely on them for flight. We rely on them for the coolness they impart — a gift of nature that makes the vineyards temperate and slows the ripening process, producing robust flavors and distinctive varietal characters in our grapes.
Our wines start with the good luck of being able to work with so many of the great grape growers in Sonoma County.
Katy Wilson, Anaba Winemaker
Our Vineyards
We source our grapes from our preferred and, in many cases, exclusive, vineyards—farmed meticulously—yielding exceptional fruit grown to our winemakers’ exact standards. Rootstocks and grape clones are carefully selected based on each vineyard’s soil to assure each variety is suited to its environment. We employ canopy management techniques to optimize fruit maturation and color preservation. To enhance each variety’s flavor profile, we thin the clusters, allowing the grapevine to focus all its energy on only the best berries.
Above all, we adhere to sustainable viticulture practices in the vineyard and the cellar, making sure that the environment is paramount in our efforts.
We are proud to work with these remarkable vineyards to produce our Vineyard Designate series wines:
What’s in a name?
On tranquil summer days, as the sun kisses the hills and valleys of Sonoma, unique air currents bring cooling breezes inland from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay. Wafting softly, with some gusts and gales, they glide through the vineyard rows. As they encounter steeper slopes and drift upward, they become anabatic winds.
Soaring glider pilots rely on them for flight. We rely on them for the coolness they impart — a gift of nature that makes the vineyards temperate and slows the ripening process, producing robust flavors and distinctive varietal characters in our grapes.
In 2009, Anaba Wines became the first Northern California winery to utilize wind power. Having a Sonoma Certified Sustainable Winegrower certification, Anaba Wines is committed to green initiatives and, with the installation of our solar panels, now utilizes 100% renewable electricity. (We even and has 4 EV car chargers available for our visitors.)