Cult Vines was founded by Mike and Tina Cochran and Laura and Randy Otander. Their passion for wine and "cult like" pursuit of quality vines has given rise to some of the finest wine in the world. Hence the name "Cult Vines". Their journey began years ago when their passion for quality wine turned to production and with it, a lifestyle of education, research, travel and learning from some of today's leading wine experts.
Mike, Tina, Laura and Randy began producing Cabernet from a small block of grapes from the To Kalon Vineyard and have grown in production and quality ever since. Today they produce a select amount of premium wine with the help of wine visionaries, specialized crush facilities and traditional processes that meet their exacting standards. They hope you'll enjoy their wine just as much as they do!
Cult Vines’ relentless pursuit of perfection is embodied in our world-class wine.
Our passion is to provide the finest wine to discreet connoisseurs and collectors . Our wine is crafted from the finest vineyards that produce premium fruit. Our fermentation and aging processes follow the most exacting quality assurance guidelines. Cult Vines embraces old world grand cru tradition by choosing the single vineyards with the highest potential to create world class wine. These vineyards are located primarily in the Napa Valley region and include To Kalon, a new world grand cru vineyard that has produced some of the highest rated wines ever bottled. Our 2007 To Kalon Cabernet promises to be a world-class exceptional wine.
Michael Cochran - Founder
Tina Cochran - Co-Founder
Laura A. Otander - Co-Founder
Randy Otander - Co-Founder
Kian Tavakoli
Master Winemaker
The Master Winemaker for Cult Vines is Kian Tavakoli. Kian most recently was the winemaker at Clos Du Val where he ran their red wine program - including their highly-acclaimed reserve bottling. Before joining Clos Du Val in 1996, Kian spent four years learning cabernet winemaking at Opus One . With over 10 years of winemaking, operations and viticulture experience, Kian brings a stellar combination of sensory and production skills to Cult Vines.
Michael Zitzlaff
General Manager & Chief Winemaker
Michael is the new General Manager and Chief Winemaker for Cult Vines, overseeing all aspects of the production of our Roussanne and Napa Valley Cabernet. Michael brings a stellar background and expertise to the team and we look forward to bringing you the highest quality wines. Michael has had full winemaking responsibility for his family’s winery; Oakridge Estate located in the Yarra Valley, one hour East of Melbourne, Australia. After successfully building the Oakridge wine brand nationally and internationally, Michael initiated and managed an IPO in Oakridge Vineyards Limited where he was Chairman and CEO.
His wines have been recognized internationally receiving awards such as, “Warren Winiarski – Stag’s Leap Trophy” for “Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Show” and “The Wolf Blass Trophy” for “Best Australian Red Wine of Show” at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, London in 2000 and receiving the award for “Best New World Pinot Noir” at the International Wine Challenge in London, 2002.
Jonathan Borreson
Winemaker
Since his days of chasing down the ice cream truck, Jonathan has spent time in his parents' backyard helping Dad with punchdowns and hand-filling bottles of Salute per Tutti, his family's home wine. Bitten very early by the wine bug, he hasn't strayed far from a vine since. He was part of the winemaking team at boutique Sonoma producer, Three Sticks Wines. Jonathan also worked at Artesa Winery in Napa before going overseas. He got an early taste of urban winemaking in Auckland, New Zealand, then made his way to the steep vineyard terraces of the Mosel in Germany to work for outstanding family producer, Weingut Reinhardt und Beate Knebel.
- “ It is a wonderful feeling to create something you love. It’s even more amazing to be able to share that creation. We are overjoyed that we can share this feeling and passion with all of you. ”
- —Mike, Tina, Laura and Randy
