In Sonoma County, where diverse soils and shifting coastal influences shape some of California’s most expressive wines, Aperture Cellars offers a distinctive perspective on Bordeaux-inspired winemaking. Founded by first-generation vintner Jesse Katz, the winery explores the potential of Bordeaux varietals grown in Sonoma’s cool-climate vineyards.
Founded in 2009, Aperture Cellars reflects Katz’s belief that great wines begin with thoughtful vineyard selection. Working with more than 200 acres of vineyard sites across Sonoma’s leading appellations, the winery focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends that showcase structure, balance, and clarity of fruit.
The approach has quickly drawn global attention. Jesse Katz was recently named Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Winemaker of the Year, while Aperture Cellars earned international recognition after being ranked No. 14 on the World’s Best Vineyards list. The accolades underscore the winery’s growing influence within the modern California wine landscape.
Katz’s path into winemaking began long before Aperture’s founding. As the son of acclaimed photographer Andy Katz, he spent much of his youth traveling through some of the world’s most renowned wine regions. Those early experiences—walking historic vineyards and tasting alongside leading producers—shaped his understanding of terroir and inspired a winemaking philosophy rooted in both discipline and creativity.
That connection between art and wine remains central to the identity of Aperture Cellars. Each bottle features an original photograph by Andy Katz, transforming every label into a visual expression of the landscapes and cultures that inspired the winery’s founding vision.
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The Aperture estate itself reflects this artistic philosophy. Located in Healdsburg, California, the property sits on a historic vineyard first planted in 1912 and today features a striking 24,000-square-foot winery and hospitality center designed by Signum Architecture. Inspired by the aperture of a camera lens, the building’s dramatic lines and abundant natural light create a setting where art, architecture, and winemaking naturally intersect.
Within the portfolio, Cabernet Sauvignon remains the signature expression. The winery also produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and limited-production single-vineyard wines that highlight the character of specific vineyard sites across Sonoma County.
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Among the most ambitious recent releases is Collage, a project that draws from multiple vineyard parcels cultivated over several years. The wine represents Katz’s effort to assemble the most expressive vineyard lots into a single composition that captures the complexity of Sonoma’s diverse soils and microclimates.
Today, Aperture Cellars stands among a new generation of California wineries redefining the region’s global reputation. By combining vineyard precision with artistic inspiration, Jesse Katz continues to craft wines that celebrate both the landscape of Sonoma and the creative spirit behind every bottle.
