Jonata Wines

Stan Kroenke established Jonata in 2000 and is located in Santa Ynez Valley. Jonata is 100% owned by Screaming Eagle, which produces the most expensive wine in America. Other than Jonata, Stan Kroenke also owns a NBA team, Denver Nuggets, and is the biggest share holder of the Arsenal football team, he ranks 107 on the Forbes World's Billionaires List. Kroenke’s wife, Anne Walton, is the inheritance of the world largest chain store, Wal-mart.

Only 84 acres of the large estate in Santa Ynez Valley in California are planted to vines. Jonata went against convention and planted a wide range of varieties rarely grown side by side – including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.

This audacious project caused quite a stir in the wine growing community but was quickly vindicated by the exceptional quality of the wines it produced. The first commercial vintage was in 2004. Matt Dees (also winemaker at the Hilt) has managed the project from the outset.

The main production focuses on three single varietal prestige cuvées: El Desafio (Cabernet Sauvignon), El Alma (Cabernet Franc) and La Sangre (Syrah).

The property also produces a blend featuring all the varieties grown on the estate called Todos (a 10-variety ensemble), Fenix (a red Bordeaux blend) and Flor (a Sauvignon Blanc). Tiny productions of Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and on occasion a Dessert Sémillon/ Sauvignon Blanc are also made.