Brewer-Clifton

Brewer-Clifton is a winery based in Santa Barbara County, California, specifically sourcing its grapes from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The Sta. Rita Hills region is globally recognized for its cool, maritime climate. This unique microclimate is ideal for producing their site-specific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.

The winery was established in 1996 by two local winemakers, Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. The two shared a common vision to produce Burgundian-style wines that distinctly reflected the terroir of the Sta. Rita Hills. Greg Brewer became widely known in the region for his meticulous, minimalist winemaking approach.

Yes, in 2017, Greg Brewer became the sole owner of the Brewer-Clifton label when he acquired Steve Clifton's stake in the winery. Following the split, Steve Clifton focused his efforts on his other wine projects, including his Palmina label. The ownership transition marked a new, unified chapter for the Sta. Rita Hills pioneer.

Brewer-Clifton is exclusively dedicated to cultivating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from vineyards within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. By focusing entirely on these two cool-climate varietals, the estate aims to capture the unique, minerality-driven profile of the region. They rely on native yeast fermentations to express the specific vineyard sites.