Curtis Team

When he’s not in the vineyard or cellar, Chuck is usually off fishing, sailing or surfing. These hobbies, along with his penchant for wearing tropical-print shirts, have earned him the nickname “Calypso.” Despite his easygoing personality, Chuck is fanatical in the cellar, with a devotion to capturing the natural quality of our fruit. "I want the inherent flavors of the vineyard to really stand out and define the wine," he says. 

 

Brooks and Kate Firestone established Firestone Vineyard as Santa Barbara County’s first estate winery in 1972. Of Brooks Firestone, the Los Angeles Times wrote, “He was a pioneer, an inspirer, and expander of possibilities; he took a chance on an untried wine area, then stuck with it and made it pay.”

 

In 1995, the Firestone family took another pioneering step by establishing Curtis Winery as one of California’s first wineries dedicated exclusively to Rhône-style wines. The name Curtis honors the maiden name of Brooks’ mother. Today, Andrew and Ivana Firestone (pictured here) and Adam and Kate Firestone advance their family's winemaking heritage as the active owners of Curtis Winery. 

 

Ernst grew up the wine country of South Africa’s Western Cape, where he developed an early appreciation for wine. After studying winemaking at Elsenburg Agricultural College and working at wineries in the Western Cape, he journeyed to California, where he was eventually recruited to the Curtis team by Winemaker Chuck Carlson.

 

“Respect for the grape has always been very important to me, and making wine where the blends are small gives me the opportunity to employ thoughtful winemaking decisions,” Ernst says. “I like to make wines with strong personality of place and vintage.”

 

Elizabeth Dadosky - Wine Club and Tasting Room Manager
Elizabeth began working at Firestone Vineyard in 2005 after moving to the Central Coast from Indiana. She fell in love with the world of wine, and she transferred to the Firestone family’s Curtis Winery one year later. Prior to heading west, Elizabeth spent 5 years studying and working in theater and film. Today, she enjoys supporting local artists, wineries and the Fighting Irish football team.

“What I like about working at Curtis Winery is that we are offering something different and authentic,” Elizabeth says. “People sense that when they come to our tasting, and I think that’s what enables us to have such a personal connection with our guests and wine club members.”