An evening with Arnot-Roberts

Date and Time

• Thursday, Nov 13, 2025  5pm - 7pm

Location

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Details

Thursday, November 13th | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Cellar Room

Join us for an intimate seminar with Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts, co-founders of Arnot-Roberts (arnotroberts.com, @arnotroberts), two of California's most influential winemakers. This is a rare opportunity to taste directly with the duo who were at the forefront of what wine writer Jon Bonné coined "New California Wine"—a movement that fundamentally changed the conversation about what California wine could be.

Founded in 2001 by childhood friends who grew up together in Napa Valley, Arnot-Roberts began with one barrel of wine made in their basement. While the broader wine world was obsessed with high-octane, heavily oaked wines chasing 100-point scores, Duncan and Nathan quietly pursued a different path: moderate alcohol, restrained oak use, and clear expressions of terroir. Their approach bridged old-world sensibility with California roots, creating wines that felt like the perfect synthesis of the two.

When Bonné published The New California Wine in 2013, he positioned Arnot-Roberts as a defining example of this revolution—producers who had "liberated themselves from the myth of the estate," prioritizing exceptional vineyard sources over elaborate tasting rooms and corporate infrastructure. More than a decade later, what was once considered a "movement" has become the mainstream, influencing an entire generation of California winemakers. Duncan and Nathan didn't just participate in this shift—they helped create it.

What sets Arnot-Roberts apart is their dedication to finding unique, often overlooked vineyard sites across Northern California—from Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast to Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Rita Hills, Clearlake, and Sierra Foothills. Many of these sites were previously unknown or unheralded before Arnot-Roberts brought them to prominence. Nathan, a second-generation cooper who learned the craft from his father, personally builds many of the French oak barrels used in aging their wines. Duncan's winemaking background includes stints at renowned wineries like Kongsgaard, where he developed the technical precision that defines their work today.

This seminar offers more than just a tasting—it's an opportunity to hear directly from two pioneers about the evolution of California wine over the past two decades. Where does the "New California" movement stand now that it's no longer new? What lessons have they learned from 20+ years of farming these sites? And where do they see California wine heading next? These are conversations you can only have with winemakers who have both shaped the narrative and continue to push it forward.

Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes indigenous fermentations, minimal or no new oak, and whole-cluster inclusion for red wines. The result is wines that shine in their youth yet age gracefully, demonstrating that California can produce bottles with both immediate appeal and long-term complexity. Critics have praised their ability to walk the line between power and restraint, creating wines "stripped to their essence" that reveal the distinct personalities of each site.

This seminar will cover:

• The founding story and Arnot-Roberts' role in the "New California" movement
• How California wine has evolved since Jon Bonné coined the term in 2013
• Their approach to vineyard sourcing and long-term relationships with growers
• Winemaking techniques that bridge old-world and new-world philosophies
• The role of cooperage and Nathan's barrel-making craft
• Understanding site-specificity across California's diverse regions
• Where California wine goes from here—thoughts on the next chapter

This is an essential experience for anyone interested in California wine's evolution over the past two decades. The opportunity to taste with Duncan and Nathan in such an intimate setting provides insights into how they've influenced an entire generation of California winemakers.

Seating is limited to 16 guests. Tickets are $50 and include the full guided tasting and a $20 store credit for use towards a purchase of the featured wines.