There’s a moment in the vineyard each spring that feels equal parts hope and vulnerability.

Bud break.

Tiny green shoots begin to emerge from the vines, marking the start of a brand new vintage. It’s a beautiful sight, one we wait for all winter. But it’s also the most fragile time of year. One cold snap, one unexpected frost, and everything can change overnight.

It’s a reminder that every season is a risk… and a beginning.

And this year, that feeling carries even more meaning for us.

After celebrating 20 years of Sweet Cheeks Winery, we find ourselves stepping into our next chapter. One that’s deeply rooted in where we started and guided by Dan’s legacy.

Where It All Began

Long before there was a winery, there was just a vineyard, and a flatbed truck.

In the early 90s, when Dan was delivering grapes to other wineries, he had a simple idea: if his fruit was going out into the world, his name should go with it. So he imagined having “Sweet Cheeks Vineyard” painted on the side of his truck.

But it needed something more.

We’re part of the Crow community, and Dan felt that connection to place mattered. So, right under the name, he added a crow, hand-painted by a local artist. 

That crow stayed with us.

When Dan made the leap years later to open the winery, he kept the name. He kept the crow. And for fourteen years, that symbol became a recognizable part of every bottle we made.

The Story Behind the View

But here’s the thing about Dan…he never built this place to be about himself.

He built it for the land. For the view. For the feeling you get when you stand here and look out across the vineyard. To build a place that was rooted in connection and community.

After he passed in 2018, we found ourselves asking: how do we better tell that story?

The answer was to show what he saw. To share this view, just as Dan intended.

Today, our labels come together to form the view that changed everything: the very perspective that convinced him this place needed to be more than a vineyard. It needed to be somewhere people could gather. Connect. Slow down.

That vision still guides us every single day.

A Family, A Team, A Shared Purpose

Sweet Cheeks Winery is still family-owned and operated, just as it’s always been.

Dan’s family, Beth, Katie, and Jessica, continue to lead with the same care and intention he did. And alongside them is a small, dedicated team that brings each vintage to life.

Our very first employee, Leo Gabica, is still crafting every bottle of wine, now with his son working right beside him. It’s not lost on us how rare and special that is.

We’re not a big operation. We’re a close-knit group of people who care deeply about what we do, from the vineyard to the glass to your experience when you visit.

What Hasn’t Changed

As we grow into this next chapter, one thing remains constant: Our goal is to be the best part of your day.

That means creating wines that feel approachable, not intimidating. It means making space for connection, whether you’re here for a tasting, a glass with friends, or a moment to yourself.

It also means being thoughtful about how we welcome people in. While reservations aren’t required, we do ask for them for larger groups—simply so we can give everyone the experience they deserve.

Because to us, it’s never been about volume. It’s about care. 

A New Season, A Continuing Story

Spring reminds us that nothing meaningful comes without a little risk.

The vines are waking up. A new vintage is underway. And we’re continuing a story that started decades ago, with a truck, a hand-painted crow, and a deep love for this place.

As we look ahead, we’re honored to carry that legacy forward and even more grateful to share it with you.

And for those who have loved the crow as much as we have… our final vintage to feature it, the 2019 Red Fusion, is nearly gone. A small, meaningful piece of our story, ready to be opened and shared.

Here’s to what’s next.

Grab the Last Bottles