Dan Kleck

In 1998, he migrated west to California to work with Jess Jackson, managing wine production at K-J’s largest facility, Kendall-Jackson Monterey Winery, working with fruit from properties stretching throughout the Central Coast. The focus at K-J Monterey was Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Dan was involved in the creation of the initial vintages of these varietals under the Great Estates line from both the Monterey and Arroyo Seco appellations.

Later, he went on to create the Carmel Road wine project, under the Artisans & Estates umbrella of wineries, crafting elite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from select premium estate vineyards in Monterey County.

In 2002, Dan set out to continue work on his own California red wine projects, including Silver Stone Wines and the recently developed Red Horse Ranch labels. In addition, he actively consults with various vineyard proprietors, assisting them in establishing new micro-wineries on the Central Coast. His focus is spotting key up-and-coming vineyard properties, working with small growers tending well-placed varietals, and with exceptional fruit and location potential to develop artisan wine projects.

The Donati Vineyards, planted in the Paicines appellation of San Benito County, is the premier example of how careful viticultural research along with entrepreneurial spirit has led to the establishment of an exciting new wine brand in one of the Central Coast’s most undiscovered regions.

Dan and his wife Debra live in the heart of the Central Coast, in beautiful Paso Robles.