Our Story
At Waxwing Wines, we use traditional methods to craft limited-production Pinot Noir,
Syrah, Riesling and Chardonnay from cool and windy coastal vineyards.
Our winemaker and proprietor, Scott Sisemore, brings his drive, experience, and deep knowledge of red wine production to shape the wines from grape harvest to bottling.
Winemaker Scott has over 25 years of experience in the Northern California wine industry.
He learned premium red wine techniques from jobs at
Ravenswood Winery, Rosenblum Cellars, and other highly respected
California producers. He has also made wine abroad in India and Chile.
Most recently, before founding Waxwing, Scott served as associate
winemaker at Pelligrini Family Vineyards. Scott earned a B.S. in
microbiology from Oregon State University and an M.S. in viticulture and
enology from UC-Davis.
In 2006, Scott left his commercial winemaking job to stay home with his
newborn son. Using this as a chance to develop hand-crafted,
ultra-small-lot wines, Scott founded Waxwing Wine Cellars. He chose to
focus on the wine varietals that he knows and loves, particularly Pinot
Noir and Syrah from the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Cedar Waxwings are strikingly handsome North American songbirds.
Named for unique red wax-like tips on their wing feathers, they also
have a distinctive black mask, silky-sleek gray and beige plumage, a
feathery crest and a bright yellow band across their tails. They travel in
large, gregarious flocks, foraging from coast to coast, and can be seen
eating berries in Northern California in winter and spring. At Waxwing
Wines, we strive to make wine as beautiful as this native species.