Few winemakers have shaped a wine region as profoundly as Greg Brewer.
Join us for a very special evening as Greg Brewer, founder and winemaker of Brewer-Clifton, Diatom, and Ex Post Facto, shares the remarkable story of his more than 30-year commitment to the Sta. Rita Hills—a region he helped map, define, establish, and elevate into one of the world's premier cool-climate wine appellations.
Hosted in conversation with his wife, Sonja Magdevski—who affectionately refers to him simply as "Cute Boy"—this intimate evening offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of California's most respected and influential winemakers.
Greg's path to wine was anything but conventional. Beginning his career as a French instructor at UC Santa Barbara, he soon discovered a passion that would define his life's work. After training in wine production at Santa Barbara Winery in 1991, he co-founded Brewer-Clifton in 1996, helped establish the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in 1997, served as founding winemaker for Melville Winery for nearly two decades, and later created Diatom, devoted to pure, site-driven Chardonnay, and Ex Post Facto, an exploration of Santa Barbara County Syrah.
Throughout his career, Greg has remained unwavering in his philosophy that great wines should faithfully express the vineyards from which they come.
As Greg explains:
"Each specific winery strives to harness our appellations with the utmost transparency in their own unique style. This objective is to offer the most relevant voice of our estates. While the three labels are corralled by my name, their outcome is ultimately the result of our entire Team whose devotion to every step of the process informs, motivates and inspires."
During this special Speaker Series conversation, Greg will share:
🍇 His unexpected journey from university professor to internationally celebrated winemaker
🌿 The fascinating story behind the creation of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and why its unique climate continues to produce world-class wines
🍷 The distinct identities and philosophies behind Brewer-Clifton, Diatom, and Ex Post Facto
🌎 Why expressing terroir with honesty and transparency has guided every vintage of his career
🏆 Reflections on more than three decades of winemaking, innovation, and continual learning
🍾 Behind-the-scenes stories from harvests, vineyards, and the evolution of one of California's most celebrated wine regions
❓ Audience Q&A
Greg's remarkable career has earned widespread recognition, including:
🏅 Wine Enthusiast's "Winemaker of the Year" (2020)
🍷 Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2012 named one of Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of the Year (#8)
⭐ Featured Wine Star at the Wine Spectator Wine Experience in New York City (2024)
🌿 2026 Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance Winemaker of the Year, honoring his extraordinary contributions to the appellation he helped create
Whether you're a devoted wine collector, an aspiring winemaker, a hospitality professional, or simply someone who appreciates the stories behind great wines, this promises to be a memorable evening celebrating craftsmanship, place, and the enduring pursuit of excellence.
This is more than a conversation about wine.
It's the story of a person whose life's work helped define an entire region—and whose passion continues to inspire winemakers around the world.
Please RSVP to sonja@clementinecarterwines.com
(As always, everyone is welcome—even if you decide to join us at the last minute!)
