A Journey of Discovery
Unveil the Layers of Excellence in Every Bottle
Whether you’re looking to impress, develop your palate, or simply enjoy a bottle you love, our wines cater to every preference. At the heart of our collection are our Pinot Noirs – rich, supple, and crafted to perfection. Our Chardonnays offer depth and elegance, while our Sauvignon Blancs provide refreshing acidity and complexity. No matter your choice, enjoy the journey of discovery with Waypoint.
Our Vineyards
At Waypoint, the health of our sourced vineyards and stewardship of nature are top priorities. We collaborate with farmers dedicated to sustainable farming, aligning their efforts with our own winemaking practices. Instead of being restricted to one estate and its grapes, we collaborate with the crème de la crème of North California growers. This allows us to hand-select the most exceptional fruit each vintage. Our avant-garde winemaking approach ensures that every vintage delivers uncompromising quality.
Fort Ross Vineyard
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
The Fort Ross Vineyard is situated on the steep slopes of the rugged Sonoma Coast with vineyard blocks ranging from 1,200 feet to 1,700 feet above sea level. Located less than one mile from the ocean, the vineyard actually lies above the fog line, similar to a Howell Mountain of the coast. This results in slow and drawn out ripening for the fruit, producing wines that maintain acidity and reflect the unique terroir of this high-elevation site.
Terra de Promissio Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Planted along the hills of Petaluma, the Terra de Promissio Vineyard provides the ideal climate for crafting Pinot Noir. Southwest sun exposure and fog from the Petaluma Gap are complemented by the constant winds in the area, producing beautiful and lifted fruit with thicker skins and additional tannins. This vineyard, named for the Latin word meaning “the land,” allows for extended hang time, leading to optimal ripeness for this Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast.
Starscape Vineyard
Pinot Noir
The Starscape Vineyard produces iconic Pinot Noir grown in Goldridge soil on the rolling hills of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma. Located next to the Ritchie Vineyard, these vines are planted where the river curves in Middle Reach and the ocean fog rolls in each evening. We source our two clones of Pinot Noir from blocks that have a steeper aspect, producing a more fruitful Pinot Noir with balanced tannins.
Coast Grade Vineyard
Pinot Noir
The Coast Grade Vineyard is located in Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz Mountains, within the Ben Lomond Mountain AVA. Farmed by Ryan Beauregard, whose family history with viticulture in the area dates back to 1945, these 17 acres of Pinot Noir are planted in sandy loam soil at elevations ranging from 1,237 to 1,345. The vineyard is only three miles from the ocean, resulting in a much later harvest due to the marine fog and cool climate.
Ritchie Vineyard
Chardonnay
Producing Grand Cru quality Chardonnay in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, the Ritchie Vineyard is renowned for its old vines, unique soil composition, and natural minerality. The gentle slopes are northwest facing with tufa and sandy Goldridge soils, and a cool climate influenced by the fog and coastal breezes. This vineyard has been tended by Kent Ritchie for over 50 years and vines dating back to 1972 are intermingled with vines from more recent decades, creating a field blend of ages and a concentration of flavors and complexity.
Charles Heintz Vineyard
Chardonnay
An iconic site for Chardonnay, the Charles Heintz Vineyard has been in the Heintz Family for more than 100 years. This ridgetop vineyard in Sonoma County, just east of Occidental and close to the redwoods, is situated at 900 feet with Goldridge sandy loam soils. The maritime influences and fog that rolls through the vines each evening leads to a longer hang time, with harvest often 4-6 weeks after our Ritchie Chardonnay.
Bien Nacido Vineyard
Syrah
Located in the cool climate of the Santa Maria Valley, the Bien Nacido Vineyard is one of Santa Barbara County’s most notable vineyards. The oceanic influences that funnel through the east to west orientation of the Santa Ynez Mountains create a coveted terroir, complemented by exceptional farming management. This acclaimed vineyard has produced world-class fruit since it was first planted in 1973, but the history of the land dates back to 1837 when it was part of the Rancho Tepusquet land grant. Our Syrah is sourced exclusively from the X block, the best block on the property.
Grieve Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc
Situated in a unique hilltop bowl where the border of Napa Valley meets Sonoma, the cool climate of the Grieve Family Estate produces Sauvignon Blanc with a distinct expression and complex structure. This vineyard has an east to west orientation at 600 feet within the remote Lovall Valley, one of Napa Valley’s coolest regions. Planted in soils composed of volcanic and sedimentary rock, the 12 acres of Sauvignon Blanc are influenced by the fog from the nearby San Pablo Bay, which settles into the contours of the site from early evening through midday.
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Meet our
World-Class Winemakers
At Waypoint, we believe that the whole is invariably greater than the sum of its parts. This philosophy permeates every aspect of our winemaking process. It’s with this guiding principle that our esteemed team of winemakers collaborates. Winemaking maestros Matt Sands and Mark Pittman oversee the day-to-day artistry at our original stone winery in St. Helena. Working alongside them, consulting winemakers — Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky — lend their world-renowned expertise, ensuring every drop of Waypoint wine exudes unmatched elegance, depth, and balance.
Matt Sands
Winemaker
Hailing from New Zealand’s renowned Waiheke Island, Matt Sands brings a rich tapestry of experience from leading global wineries. His in-depth comprehension of Napa Valley’s unique microclimates and his expertise with top-tier wines such as Screaming Eagle and Bryant define his exceptional approach to winemaking, amalgamating innovative techniques with profound respect for the terroir.
Mark Pittman
Assistant Winemaker
Mark Pittman, our indispensable assistant winemaker, seamlessly blends dedication and hard work, evolving from the cellar to stand among the world’s winemaking elite. His journey is a testament to his commitment to learning and passion for winemaking, elevating the wines of Waypoint with his meticulous attention to detail.
Consulting Winemakers
Philippe Melka
Philippe Melka would be the first to tell you that soil primarily influenced his career. With his roots in Bordeaux, Melka marries French winemaking traditions with cutting-edge techniques, creating wines renowned for their depth and complexity. Since 1995, he has been putting his stamp on Napa Valley’s wine industry, spearheading the programs for some of the region’s most revered wineries while garnering a list of accolades and 100-point scores along the way.
Maayan Koschitzky
Maayan has amassed an impressive winemaking resume spanning from the vineyards of Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle here in Napa Valley. Serving alongside Philippe Melka since 2014, Maayan’s multidimensional role includes not only winemaking but also orchestrating winery development for clients, leveraging his engineering background and diverse experience to refine and elevate every facet of Waypoint’s vinicultural journey.