OUR STORY
Deep roots in San Luis Obispo Winegrowing
A TALE OF FATE
I’ve been rooted in Edna Valley’s wine industry for over 25 years, but my story started many decades earlier. My grandfather Jack Niven trailblazed the planting of San Luis Obispo’s modern day vines in the early 1970’s and is considered the pioneer of the Edna Valley. He just happened to plant his historic Paragon Vineyard just after I was born. Little did he know that these plantings and his vision would determine the fate of the region. Decades later, this fate led my wife, Lucy, and I down the path to start our own winery focusing on vibrant energetic white wines from the Edna Valley.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
Since the late 1990’s I developed my family’s portfolio of expressive, innovative, world renowned wines. Unfortunately, the company was sold, leaving me with the daunting task to tackle the next phase of my life. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, this drove my wife Lucy and I to start Cadre and continue my determined quest to show the wine world the greatness of vibrant white wines from the Edna Valley.
A passion, a vision and a 2nd mortgage later, here we are, ready to continue this journey.
“My roots go way back to day one in the Edna Valley when my grandfather pioneered the region in early 1970’s with the planting of his historic Paragon Vineyard. Those vines were put in the ground shortly after I was born. I have a strong connection to the legacy that my grandparents built and have ventured off on my own to craft wines of my vision, all while paying tribute to my family’s rich history in the region.”
— John H. Niven
THE CADRE
A Cadre is a small group that has been specifically chosen to band together and promote a greater cause. In this case, this is a Cadre of cool climate small production Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Sauvignon Blanc that is out to show the wine world the greatness of the lively, high acid, energetic and mineral driven cool climate white wines from the Edna Valley.This Cadre is not just made up of these wines, it includes myself and my tireless passion for the region. No one believes in white wines from the region more than me. Our San Luis Obispo Coast has just begun to scratch the surface on exploring the endless potential of the world of white wines beyond it’s already proven beautiful Chardonnays. There is so much to learn, and we are just getting started.
