Back in 1995, after falling in love with northern California’s beautiful wine country, Joe Otos decided to follow his heart and switch careers in order to learn the winemaking trade alongside the renowned Chris Loxton of Wellington Vineyards. Soon proving his talent, Joe was becoming a sought-after up and coming winemaker, making his own small lot wines from local grapes. In 2001 he formed Willowbrook Cellars alongside retired technology entrepreneur John Tracy and retired sales executive Ed Sillari, both of whom had recently moved to Sonoma County to pursue their passion for wine.
Burnside Road winds through the picturesque Russian River Valley appellation. Dotted with orchards, family farms and secluded dwellings, it boasts some of northern California’s most prized Pinot noir plantings. It is here that our Estate vineyard is located. We have farmed this site outside Sebastopol since 2001, getting to know the land and its micro-climates as each vintage pass. A picturesque three-acre site planted to clones 115, Calera and Swan, this cool-climate vineyard benefits from a remarkably long growing season of warm days offset by seasonal fog intruding from the coast at night. This allows the fruit to hang longer, developing depth and richness but maintaining a focused acidity, rarely exceeding 23 brix. We generally pick in the middle of the night to ensure the grapes reach the winery cold and in prime condition. The four separate blocks each require individual attention and the grapes often ripen at different times, giving winemaker Joe Otos ample options to create his layered and complex Pinots.

Chardonnay Napa Valley
Appellation - Napa Valley
Variety - 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol -14.3%
Aging French Oak Barrels
Despite being one of the smallest Vinicultural Areas in the country, the famed Napa Valley needs no introduction. The region’s Mediterranean climate and geology have consistently produced such quality wines that the tiny growing region now enjoys an unparalleled reputation. Our Willowbrook Napa Valley Chardonnay is a great example of one of the region’s signature varietals. Aromas of red apple and melon abound. On the palate the wine displays a lively acidity with interwoven flavors of peach and lemon meringue, complemented by notes of gingerbread. The finish is crisp, minerally and clean, perfectly balanced by lasting impressions of oaky vanilla, pear and brown sugar. While the Willowbrook Napa Valley Chardonnay is a great standalone wine, it pairs naturally with white fish in a buttery sauce or late
summer harvest vegetables.

Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Appellation - Russian River Valley
Variety - Pinot noir
Alcohol -14.2%
Aging French Oak Barrels
The Russian River produced grapes full of intense color and flavor. Harvested in late September and fermented cool for almost two weeks, our Willowbrook Russian River Valley Pinot noir offers a wonderful expression of the region. Beautiful raspberry aromas, offset by decadent hints of chocolate orange and rose, introduce a precisely balanced acidity which gives way to suggestions of forest floor and a striking depth of ripe berry fruit. The silky mouthfeel is well complemented by structured, nuanced tannins. Hints of plum, cherry and Christmas spices mingle on the finish along with vibrant flavors of cassis and vanilla, a product of the wine aging in premium French oak barrels. This is a natural food-pairing wine and we recommend doing so with lightly spiced Indian dishes, chicken fajitas or creamy camembert and figs.