Brandon Armitage

Background

About Brandon Armitage

After learning to make wine and manage vineyards in New Zealand I came back to the states with the dream of having my own Pinot Noir vineyard and winery. I worked in Colorado and Oregon before moving to California. One day I drove up the road of the old Alfred Hitchcock estate where there was a 6 acre vineyard and a case old barn converted to a winery. Sitting 1500 feet in elevation it overlooked the the valley all the way out over the ocean. I was in the center of my dream. I drove away telling myself "that is exactly what I want" but at the time seemed so far away. 10 years later the owner of the property called me and asked if I would come work there being a cellar guy. I was over qualified and wasn't sure about my future in California. I turned down the offer. By the next year I was committed to making it work in California and making my own label at a co-op. I got a call again from the same owner. They asked if I would make wine for them again and this time I said yes. At the co-op I made 2013 vintage for Heart O' The Mountain, the name of the winery at the Hitchcock estate. By the end of that harvest I was asked if I wanted to take over the brand. I agreed and went to the winery at the estate, no longer a working winery, to pick up some bins. This was my dream spot from 10 years before. I asked what he was going to do with the winery as it was just there empty. By January of 2014, 10 years after I drove away with an intention, I was moving my brand into my dream facility. Now it's almost 10 years later and I'm still here living the dream. I think back on how I felt, so long ago, driving away from the estate. I felt like I belonged there. These are the kinds of manifestations that occur throughout our lives if we're paying attention. I am truly blessed #armitagewines