Winemaking
Our Personal Approach to Winemaking
At Turks Head Wines, our passion finds expression in every bottle of the Bordeaux-style wines we craft. Sourced, produced, and bottled in the heart of Northern California, our commitment to excellence shines through. Our hands-on approach guides the entire winemaking process, ensuring that each wine we create is a testament to elegance and personalized craftsmanship.
Meet Our Winemaker
Blair Guthrie is a winemaker known for translating rugged vineyard sites into wines with structure, soul, and authenticity. Originally from New Zealand, Blair began his creative career in graphic design before finding his true medium in wine. That early design background still informs his approach today, blending technical precision with instinct, storytelling, and a deep respect for place.
His winemaking journey took him from South Australia, working alongside Brendon Keys of BK Wines, to California in 2009 under the mentorship of Paul Hobbs. These formative years shaped Blair’s philosophy around restraint, terroir-driven expression, and hands-on craftsmanship, principles that continue to guide his work across Napa and Sonoma.
In 2026, Blair joined our team, bringing with him years of experience crafting site-driven wines across some of California’s most distinctive appellations. His leadership has helped elevate our programs through thoughtful, terroir-focused bottlings that resonate with collectors, sommeliers, and critics alike. His perspective extends well beyond the cellar — from farming decisions and sourcing to the stories behind each bottle.
Blair is outspoken about the importance of real craftsmanship in an industry increasingly shaped by commodity wine. He believes great wine should reflect people, place, and purpose, not corporate formulas. For him, winemaking is equal parts agriculture, art, and discipline, always guided by passion. The goal is simple: make wines that feel honest, alive, and delicious.
Outside of his work with our team, Blair and his wife Caroline own and farm the historic Montecillo Vineyard on Moon Mountain, and he continues to produce small-lot wines under his Guthrie Family Wines label and serve as winemaker at Stewart Cellars.
Our Winemaking Process & Philosophy
Sourcing
It all starts out with finding the perfect fruit to make exceptional wine. We have direct relationships with Vineyard owners and farmers, sourcing our fruit exclusively through these partnerships. We take the time to walk every row of every vineyard, to ensure that each grape is of the highest quality. We work closely with our farmers and vineyard managers to ensure that each grape is nurtured and harvested with the utmost care, to ensure that it reaches its full potential.
Harvesting
During Harvest, our Winemaker regularly visits each vineyard, closely monitoring the ripening of the fruit to ensure that each vineyard is picked at the optimal time. We handpick our grapes in the cool, early morning hours to preserve the delicate flavors and aromas of the fruit. Each grape cluster is carefully picked by hand to ensure that only the best fruit makes it into our wines. We never use machine harvesting, as we believe that this would compromise the quality of our grapes and the resulting wines.
Crushing & Fermenting
After we harvest the fruit, it heads to our production facility that same day, where our winemaker readies the equipment for the next steps in the winemaking process. The fruit is carefully sorted and crushed, preserving all its flavor and freshness from the moment it was picked. Then, the juice is transferred to fermentation tanks, where the magic really happens. This is where art and science come together to create something truly special.
Aging
At Turks Head Wines, we’re serious about making amazing red wines. We use only the finest French oak barrels and allow our wines to mature slowly, ensuring the perfect balance of flavor and aroma. Every bottle of Turks Head wine is a testament to the skill and dedication of our winemaker.
Blending
Blending is where our winemaking process really shines. We carefully assess each grape varietal’s unique flavors and aromas, selecting those that will complement each other. We then blend the wines in a delicate balance of science and intuition. The results are wines that celebrate tradition and innovation, while being crafted with pride and care.
Bottling
The bottling process is a milestone moment in our winemaking journey. Every bottle is carefully inspected to ensure the highest quality. Our winemaker oversees the process, making sure every bottle reflects our dedication and craftsmanship. When you open a bottle of Turks Head wine, you’ll taste the care we put into every step of the process. We hope you’ll appreciate the journey our grapes went through to get into your glass.
Shop Our Wines Online
Our wines are crafted in the style of Bordeaux, but with a distinctly Californian flair. The warm climate and diverse soils of the North Coast allow us to create wines that are both elegant and approachable, with a unique sense of place. Explore our online shop to browse our selection of wine bottles, gifts, and merchandise.
The Story of Our Vineyards
The diverse terroirs of Northern California create the unique flavors in our wines. At Turks Head Wines, we celebrate this diversity through our commitment to crafting exceptional wines from the finest fruit the Northern Coast of California has to offer.
