Handcrafted Wines with Care and passion
Explore unique varietals and small-batch piquettes created with an emphasis on low manipulation and balance in mind.
About Yah-ta-Hey Wines
Our Story
Yah-Ta-Hey Wines was born from my passion for winemaking and an uncompromising commitment to honesty and quality. I produce small-production, handcrafted wines that reflect the true character of each varietal and the land it comes from—without shortcuts, manipulation, or deception.
I am a Sierra Foothills native, raised in Placerville, California, and an eleven-year veteran of the wine industry. My first harvest was in 2014, and I recently completed my tenth harvest—marking the first year producing my own wines under the Yah-Ta-Hey label. Over the years, I have worked in both California and Oregon and have been fortunate to learn from some of the most talented winemakers on the West Coast. That experience has given me not only technical knowledge, but also a clear understanding of how the modern American wine industry truly operates behind the scenes.
I have returned to El Dorado County to be closer to my family and to the exceptional winegrowing region of the Shenandoah Valley. I believe this region offers a rare opportunity to produce wines of honesty, balance, and authenticity—wines that respect terroir rather than override it.
Yah-Ta-Hey Wines is funded through the support of family and friends who believe in my vision. This project is my dream and my passion, and it exists because of a shared belief that wine should be made with integrity.
The American wine industry allows the use of dozens of legal additives—many of which the average consumer would be deeply disturbed to learn are in their wine. These substances are often used to manipulate flavor, color, aroma, texture, and shelf stability, while consumers are led to believe they are drinking something natural, traditional, and pure. Most of these additives are strictly prohibited in European wine laws, yet in the United States they remain legal, undisclosed, and largely hidden from public awareness.
I believe this lack of transparency is a disservice to wine drinkers. Consumers deserve the truth about what they are putting into their bodies, and they deserve the opportunity to support wineries that choose integrity over convenience and profit. My goal is to help shine a light on this darker, often unspoken side of the industry and to empower consumers through knowledge.
My winemaking philosophy is simple and uncompromising: my wines are made without these legal but toxic additives. They are crafted to be balanced, naturally lower in alcohol, and to showcase each varietal’s true expression. Every wine I make is additive-free, honest, and built around aromatics, texture, and a sense of place.
As Yah-Ta-Hey Wines continues to grow, I am deeply grateful for the support of those who believe in this mission. Donations are sincerely appreciated and directly support the continued development of this project, helping me push back against industry norms and build a winery rooted in transparency, integrity, and respect for the craft.