While Many Wineries Close, Sonoma County Winery Grows Into New Estate
The new Auteur Russian River estate boasts expansive windows that overlook the vineyards of their famed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
At a time when several California wineries have closed their doors, a Sonoma County winery is expanding and growing with the debut of their new estate.
Auteur Wines just opened the doors of their new winemaking operations and tasting room, the Auteur Russian River on Wohler Road outside of Healdsburg, CA. Auteur's owners and founders Kenneth and Laura Juhasz purchased the property in 2021, and they hired Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to design it and Earthtone Construction to build it. 'This is our second space, and our first estate property,' says Laura Juhasz, who is chief operations officer for the winery.
Their first space was a 1,400 square-feet building in downtown Sonoma. But the new estate is much grander, with an investment 'in the $10 million range,' she says. The estate building is 3,000 square-feet, and it is located on eight acres of picturesque land.
'Our first space was a historic bungalow that we purchased 13 years ago, rooted right in the heart of the town of Sonoma,' Juhasz says. 'It's a cozy, soulful spot just off the square, and we'll continue hosting guests there. But over the years, we felt the pull to root ourselves deeper into Sonoma County, to find a countryside estate within the vineyards we source from.'
The estate winery is designed to feel deeply connected to the terrain, Juhasz says. Natural materials, warm wood paneling, and panoramic views set the tone for a welcoming environment. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted views, while a redwood and blackened steel hearth anchors the main room. Large sliding doors open onto a covered terrace, where visitors can enjoy their wines amidst the rolling landscape.
This new Russian River Estate is nestled into a hillside near the Michelin-starred Farmhouse Inn. 'It's a hidden gem that feels both tucked away and worth the journey,' Juhasz says. 'With a 50-foot glass wall framing expansive vineyard views and large doors that open to the terrace, the boundary between indoors and outdoors practically disappears. It's warm, welcoming, and hard to leave.'
'It's a hidden gem that feels both tucked away and worth the journey,' Juhasz says. 'With a 50-foot glass wall framing expansive vineyard views and large doors that open to the terrace, the boundary between indoors and outdoors practically disappears. It's warm, welcoming, and hard to leave.'
The outdoor environment was designed by landscape architect, James Munden of Munden Fry Landscape Associates, and it was executed by Lucas Dexter of DEXTER estate landscapes. The landscape emphasizes native insectary planting to support biodiversity. Ornamental, drought-tolerant grasses begin at the entry gate and flow toward the tasting terrace, expressing a wind-swept coastal influence.
The estate, Juhasz says, is designed to feel like a sanctuary, and it's filled with natural light. 'It's a place to slow down and reconnect,' she says. 'One of the most distinctive offerings is our 'Be Here Now' tasting. Wines are poured blind, without context, encouraging guests to explore their senses and engage in stillness. It's not about wine trivia — it's about presence.'
Laura and Kenneth Juhasz enjoy some of the wines they make, with some seasonal, small bites created by chef Elizabeth Payne.
The estate's vineyard irrigation is spring-fed, and several environmental features were added, including solar power, water-capture swales and fire-suppression systems. 'We built it to last, with sustainability and climate resilience at the forefront of the expense,' Juhasz says.
'It was expensive, yes — but purposeful,' she adds. 'This region is our home, and we've designed something that respects the land and will serve the community and the environment for decades to come.'
Auteur's new opening is in contrast to the decline California wineries have seen in the past year. California saw a 4 percent drop in the total number of wineries in 2024, according to the WineBusiness Analytics Database. At the start of 2024, California had 4,949 wineries, and by the end of the year, it only had 4,727, losing 222 wineries. And within the last month, Napa Valley saw three wineries shutter their doors: Brian Arden Wines, Newton Vineyard and Twomey.
'There's no doubt; we're seeing closures across California,' Juhasz says. 'Rising costs, climate pressures, and shifting consumer habits have made this a challenging time. But Russian River remains a beacon, and it continues to attract curious wine lovers and culinary seekers alike.'
Juhasz says they are committed to helping revive and grow the Sonoma County wine scene, adding that they've added new positions with their expansion, and that every employee receives 'living wages and benefits.'
'By drawing visitors to this lesser-traveled corridor of Russian River, we're also supporting nearby restaurants, artisans, and growers,' she says. 'We see a Sonoma County cultural revival on the rise. We're proud to be part of that.'
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