Select Steve Pepe and Catherine Pepe Wes Hagen ('Viticulturist-in-Residence') and Chanda Hagen Ramon Cisneros and Cesar Corona Rob, Stacy, Jennifer and Nicole Hagen Clos Puppies and More! Indi and Tiva Rosa Winston Samson Oliver Charlemagne Sheila Emerald

Clos Pepe Vineyards

Clos Pepe Vineyards was founded in 1994 when Steve and Catherine Pepe purchased a 40-acre horse ranch in the center of what would become the Sta Rita Hills AVA in Northern Santa Barbara County.  Guided by Santa Barbara's best viticultural consultant, Jeff Newton of Coastal Vineyard Care, the first half of the vineyard was planted in 1996.  After working for three years in the vineyard, Wes Hagen took over full managerial duties in 1998, and designed and planted the last 14 acres of vineyard on the property.  Our first crop of Pinot Noir (vintage 2000) immediately caught the attention of critics such as Robert Parker, Decanter Magazine, Wine Spectator and 'pinot-philes' everywhere.  National ratings of 90+ points and Double Gold Medals quickly rolled in, establishing Clos Pepe and those that buy our fruit as serious contenders in New World Pinot Noir production.  We strive to improve the fruit and wines we make every year -- creating wines that please our own palates, hoping our customers will appreciate the style of wine we grow. 2006 marks our 10th Anniversary growing grapes here at Clos Pepe, and we're thrilled with the vineyard as the vines mature and the wines reach a broader audience.

Besides making tiny quantities of Estate Pinot Noir and no-oak Chardonnay, Clos Pepe sells a significant portion of the vineyard's fruit to top-notch wineries throughout the State of California.  Our current stable of producers for the 2006 Harvest includes Brewer-Clifton, Ojai Vineyard, Diatom, Siduri Wines, AP Vin, Loring Wine Company, Ken Brown Wines and Roessler.  Past Clos Pepe producers include Au Bon Climat, Hitching Post Wines, Vino V, Longoria, Babcock, Arcadian, L'aventure, Lavie and Carr Cellars.

Steve Pepe ('The Vigneron') and Catherine Pepe ('L'agent')

Steve Pepe ('The Vigneron') and Catherine Pepe ('L'agent') strut their stuff at a wine dinner at Hearst Castle:

Steve Pepe, voted one of the Country's 'Top Fifty Labor Attorneys' in 2002, changed professions at the end of that year.  Splitting his time between legal consultation and running the vineyard and winery, Steve is living his lifelong dream of vineyard and winery ownership.  Steve's family has a long and colorful history of home winemaking back in New Jersey, stretching back to Prohibition.  Steve has been a Wine Judge at the L.A. County Fair for two decades, and takes an active part in many wine societies including the Chevaliers du Tastevin, California Vintage Wine Society, as well as the 'official' societies for Alsatian, Beaujolais, and Bordeaux wines.  Steve is currently finalizing a deal to publish his memoirs "To the Vineyard", a compilation of his newsletters and commentary concerning the establishment of a home vineyard, and then a commercial wine enterprise. Steve is enjoying his retirement, and works tirelessly during harvest, both picking fruit and making wine.

Catherine (Hagen) Pepe is known on the vineyard by her nickname L'agent, which suggests she has final say over how much money the 'boys' can spend on the vineyard, the winery, and wines -- leaving just enough so she can build her dream home here on the vineyard.  The house is finished, Steve and Cathy have moved in, and the vineyard is now able to provide an unmatched level of hospitality. Besides being an amazingly successful labor attorney for a large law firm, Cathy finds the time to create Best-of-Show quality doll houses (L.A County Fair) and amazingly intricate needlepoint designs.  She also loves to spend time with her two precious Grand-daughters, Jennifer and Nicole Hagen.

Wes Hagen ('Viticulturist-in-Residence') and Chanda Hagen ('The Trainer')

Wes Hagen ('Viticulturist-in-Residence') and Chanda Hagen ('The Trainer')

Wes Hagen: Vineyard Manager, Winemaker.  Wes has run the show here at Clos Pepe since 1998.  He manages the vineyard and the crew, communicates with our producers and fine-tunes viticulture to suit the stylistic needs of their winemaking.  Involving himself in every aspect of the planting, growing, harvest, crush, fermentation, aging, bottling, shipping and marketing (jncluding the photography and text in the website), Wes is passionate about his life's goal -- producing and celebrating world-class Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  From 1997-98, Wes researched and wrote the petition that established the Santa Rita Hills American Viticultural Area with help from Bryan Babcock, Richard Sanford and other local wine personalities.  The 'Santa Rita Hills AVA' was approved in 2001, and the name was changed a few years later to 'Sta Rita Hills AVA'.  In his quest to promote the wines of Santa Barbara County, and the Santa Rita Hills in particular, Wes created and served as Director of the Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition from 2002 until 2004.  As a result of his hard work promoting the region and penning the AVA Petition, Wes was awarded the Central Coast Winegrower's Association 'Grower of the Year Award' for the 2001-2002 growing seasons.  Wes writes a bi-monthly column for WineMaker Magazine called 'Backyard Vines', and has written content for the 'Burgundy-Report', WestCoastWine.Net, VineSwinger.com and other small publications.  In his free time Wes consults on establihsing small vineyards (hillside Pinot Noir only), and has judged the L.A County Fair Wine Competition for nine years, Riverside International for three, and the Long Beach Grand Cru for five years.

Chanda Hagen: Assistant Winemaker, Lavender Grower, Animal Trainer, Shepherdess.  Chanda and Wes met in April 1999 over a bottle of Beaujolais at a college-style party in Isla Vista (UCSB).  Their first date was the Vintner's Festival the next weekend, and they have been inseparable ever since.  The marriage proposal was accepted on New Years 1999-2000, and the couple was married at Clos Pepe on September 9th, 2000.  Their Honeymoon was spent picking and crushing the grapes from the 2000 Vintage, which resulted in a Pinot Noir that Robert Parker called 'brilliant', 'complex' and 'promising'; just like their marriage! Chanda's influence as assistant winemaker runs deep.  She makes sure Wes' energies are tempered by common sense and an obsessive degree of winery sanitation and organization.  Besides Pinot Noir, Chanda's passion is horses: Hunter/Jumpers and Dressage.  Her horse, Charlemagne (Chase for short), is being trained for Dressage and Jumping competition. Chanda also takes care of our miniature sheep here at the Clos, which will be bred into a flock for eating winter weeds and fertilizing the vineyard organically and sustainably.

Ramon Cisneros and Cesar Corona

Ramon Cisneros and Cesar Corona:

Ramon and Cesar are our Vineyard Foreman and Assistant Foreman respectively.  They are in charge of keeping the vineyard manicured and the fruit pristine.  They work six days a week, 50 weeks a year, to assure that the vineyard is producing the best fruit possible.  We believe that hand-labor is better for the vineyard than chemical applications, so when you taste the quality and consistency of Clos Pepe wine, know that most of the labor was completed by their skilled hands.  Let's raise a glass to Ramon and Cesar -- who are farming our wine every day!

Rob, Stacy, Jennifer and Nicole Hagen

Rob, Stacy, Jennifer and Nicole Hagen:

Our extended Vineyard Family! Rob is Wes' brother and Catherine's eldest son.  Rob, Stacy and the girls love coming up to 'Grandma Cathy's Farm' as often as they can, especially since the new house and the pool have been completed.  Both the young girls have helped with some winemaking, and Jennifer seems to have an excellent palate for fine wines when she is given small sips from her Dad's or from the Vigneron's glass.  Both Rob and Stacy work in the financial world, and have lived in exotic locales such as Singapore, San Jose and Scottsdale before settling in the cozy community of Coto de Caza in Orange County.  Rob struggles to beat Wes (from time to time) on the golf course, while Jennifer spends her time daydreaming about horses, and Nicole practices her dancing and acting skills.  Recently, Wes was spared the embarrassment of losing to Rob at La Purisima Golf Course when he was viciously attacked by a red tailed hawk. Wes intends to turn Jennifer into a future winemaker here at the Clos.

Bud

Bud (1988-2003):

You may recognize Bud from our 2002 Clos Pepe Estate labels, where his 'mugshot' is prominently featured.  Bud was the first 'Clos Puppy' and will be missed sorely.  Highlights of his celebrated life include: saving the Long Beach house from a fire and being saved by Steve Pepe ('Vigneron')when he was drowning in our vineyard's pond.  Bud lived a dream life for a dog -- having 40 fenced acres to roam every day.  He was a loving dog that spent many good years with us after being rescued from a Riverside Animal Control kennel in 1990.  Bud's enthusiasm for love and tasty treats were, unfortunately, cut short by back and leg problems at the ripe old age of 15.  Bud was put down in Summer 2003, and buried overlooking the pond at Clos Pepe.  He was and will always be 'Le Chien Formidable!'

Indi and Tiva

Indi and Tiva:

Indi (ex-racing Greyhound) and Tiva (Greyhound/Whippet mix) were rescued through Retired Racers (Acton, CA) in 1999, and have been an integral and loving part of the Clos Pepe family ever since.  Chanda always dreamed of owning greyhounds, and the wide open spaces (and tall fences) of the 'Clos' offered the perfect opportunity for her dream to come true.  Those that have never had the pleasure of owning a greyhound may not know what excellent pets they make.  Their temperment can be described as loving, goofy and lazy -- punctuated by short bursts of spastic activity and 40 mph sprints across the vineyard.   If you have the time and the love to spare, we heartily recommend rescuing a greyhound for a pet. Tiva now lives with Chanda's parents in Goleta, where he is very happy to be the only dog in a backyard full of ripe avocados.

Trillian

Trillian:

Trillian is an ex-racing greyhound that came to us from the Caliente Race Track in Tijuana, Mexico in December, 2006.. She won 4 out of 34 races there, which was a poor enough record for her to get booted off the track and into our hearts. She's the fastest dog on the property, still able to hit speeds in excess of 40 mph. She is a shy hound. It takes a while to get to know her and earn her trust, but she is a sweet beauty that we wouldn't give up for anything. She enjoys sleeping around 20 hours a day, punctuated by spastic and goofy play. Her favorite time of the day is when Chanda gets on her mountain bike and leads the hounds around the vineyard. Her favorite line? Of course it HAS to be, "Show me the bunny." Hares beware--Trillian WILL keep you out of the vineyard.

Oliver

Oliver:

Even though Oliver is a show-quality Italian Greyhound, we believe his breed should be renamed the 'shovel-nosed snuggle-hound'. Italian Greyhounds love to use their slender noses to burrow under sheets, covers (even Chanda's sweater) to warm themselves. Oliver completed his training to become Chanda's Medical Alert Dog in 2005, a registered Service Dog that goes everywhere with us. Oliver has walked the deck of the Queen Mary, eaten at restaurants including Melisse (Santa Monica) and George's (La Jolla), has been to the Aquarium of the Pacific (where the sea lions and poorly restrained children freaked him out a bit), and has helped Chanda develop a new lifestyle that would not have been possible without his amazing skills and love.

Winston

Winston:

Winston is almost 15 years old now, has only one eye, can't really walk very well, and is mostly deaf. Strangely, though, his internal organs are functioning perfectly, and there's no reason he shouldn't be around for another few years. Winston asked that we use a younger picture of him, so his adoring fans can remember him in his puggy prime. Winston is a mainstay attraction at the LA County Fair Wine Competition, where he is chauffered in a red wagon. We plan on affixing a pirate flag to his wagon and getting him an eyepatch so he can fulfill his dream of being, 'Winnie the One-Eyed Pirate Pug'. Arrrrrrrrgh....

Rosa

Rosa:

Our Border Collie Rosa is a miracle dog.  Born with four separate congenital heart defects, the vets that checked her health as a puppy warned that she would not live past her second birthday, and would likely be dead even quicker if we didn't confine her to the house.  We are pleased to announce that Rosa's eighth birthday has come and gone, and she seems as healthy as ever.  She has a brand new job in 2006 that she's thrilled with: flock protection dog. She lives permanently with our small flock of Southdown Babydoll Sheep, keeping them safe from coyotes and mountain lions. Her brown-eyed stare is so intelligent as to be spooky.  She's mellowed a bit with age, but she still loves to play frisbee with anyone she can hurl it towards, and she seems to be happy with her new sheep family.

Southdown Babydoll Sheep (Spring ewe)

Southdown Babydoll (miniature) Sheep :

Pinot Noir makes me think. One night, as I was under the influence of the fermented grape, we were discussing miniature Kobe beef, and I said out loud, "Hey, I wonder if there are such things as miniature sheep..? If they were small enough they would eat the weeds but they couldn't reach the vines." The next morning we launched into some research, and Chanda was able to find Canvas Ranch, a wonderful organic farm that raises this breed of sheep. They brought the sheep to Clos Pepe in late May, and we have fallen in love with Henley (our ram), and his harem-to-be, Matilda and Althea, who were named by our Allocation List in a contest.

Charlemagne

Charlemagne:

Charlemagne is the 'show name' for Chanda's horse, who is called 'Chase' on a daily basis.  He is a proud 10 year old Hanoverian Warmblood with a serious athlete's attitude.  This horse might be Chanda's greatest challenge beyond managing Wes.  We expect great things from Chase and hope to see him in the showring soon.  His 'show name' was derived from the Corton-Charlemagne vineyards in Burgundy, which represents the only Burgundian Grand Cru vineyard that produces both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  We thought it appropriate when the Vigneron suggested it.

Samson

Samson:

Samson came to the vineyard as yet another rescue.  He was found wandering the Staples Center parking lot after a Lakers Game, which immediately impressed Wes and Rob Hagen, dog lovers and lifelong Lakers fans.  Samson has got to be the mellowest Dalmatian ever.  The 'ultimate couch potato', Samson will not get up from his doggie bed unless he is promised food or lots of love.  Also famed for his lack of memory, Samson continues to bark furiously at our cars and trucks every time we pull up to the house, eternally surprised that his owners are inside.  Samson's new hobbies include sleeping, snoozing, loafing, lounging, and chasing angry skunks with excellent aim.

Emerald

Emerald:

Emerald is a captive-bred Giant Day Gecko given to Wes as a birthday present from Chanda.  She's been with us four years now, and is as healthy as ever. You might recognize the species from the 'Geico Auto Insurance' commercials.  You might also notice that Emerald is a bit...well....HUGE! She eats fruit nectar, banana and mango puree, and crickets with zest and has been gaining weight steadily since she came to the Clos.  We plan on letting her eat as much as she pleases until she can no longer cling to the walls and bamboo in her cage.  Her species still lives in Madagascar, and she was bred here in the U.S. so the native population was not impacted.