In 2008, Alex Krause and John Locke founded Birichino in Santa Cruz, California, but the story of the two partners began much earlier: John Locke spent nearly twenty years as cellar master at the renowned Californian estate Bonny Doon, where he passed on his passion and expertise to Alex Krause. Krause trained at his side for five vintages before taking on the responsibility of developing the estate’s export business. Driven by the same curiosity, they then went on to deepen their experience in several iconic winegrowing regions, from France and Italy to India.
From the very beginning of Birichino, Alex and John have focused on sourcing grapes from meticulously maintained family-owned vineyards. Many of these plots are home to ungrafted vines planted in the 19th or early 20th century, located in temperate climates heavily influenced by the ocean. Their goal is to preserve the fruit’s integrity and vibrancy, with a particular emphasis on showcasing grape varieties that are rare in California, such as cinsault.
In the cellar, they adhere to a low-intervention philosophy: indigenous fermentations, aging in stainless steel or neutral barrels, minimal racking and fining, and filtration only when strictly necessary. This approach is intended to express the full individuality of the terroirs they work with.
Birichino wines are distinguished by their elegance, freshness, energy, vibrant fruit, and great drinkability, standing in contrast to the more powerful, oak-driven style traditionally associated with California. Through their work, Alex Krause and John Locke embody a new generation of Californian winemakers—one that combines respect for terroir, tradition, and modernity to create wines that are both unique and captivating.
