Winemakers

Winemakers

For Master Winemaker Jon McPherson and Winemaker Javier Flores, the goals are simple: produce the very best wine and retain a sense of each varietal's personality. Or, as Jon says, "It's about letting the grapes speak. Javier and I simply listen and then carefully nurture the process."

Both Jon and Javier started listening as kids, Jon at Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock, Texas, and Javier at Mexico's LaCetto Winery.

Jon's father was instrumental in the growth of the Texas wine industry and he remembers helping 'Doc' McPherson plant grapes. But in 1985, after graduating from Texas Tech with a B.S. in Food and Technology, Jon headed for Southern California.

Determined to make his mark in sparkling wines, he became Winemaker at Culbertson Winery in 1986. Thanks to Jon's leadership and expertise, the winery (now known as Thornton Winery) earned the title "America's Most Honored Sparkling Wine Producer."

Like Jon, Javier inherited his love of the wine industry from his father. In fact, his first steps were probably taken in a winery. In 1986, Javier earned his degree as a Biochemist Engineer from the Tecnologico de Tijuana. He and his wife moved to Southern California where, by chance, he met Jon McPherson.

They've been an award-winning team ever since, lending their talents to South Coast Winery from its beginnings in 2003.

ASK THE WINEMAKER

Our Winemakers are award winning and certainly know their wines. How else would we be able to contribute winning the coveted Golden State Winery of the Year award in just five years?! With that said, Jon McPherson and Javier Flores are also some of the most personable people and love to discuss wine. By setting up this "Ask the Winemaker" page we've made it that much easier for you to get the wine knowledge you so desire from the experts who know.

Simply fill out the form below and Jon and/or Javier will enlighten you with the answers to your wine related questions.

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