The story of the McClain Family is not unique. It is, however, filled with passion. It is the story of a family who loved to go wine tasting with friends and loved spending time together. It is about a husband and a wife that are so in love with each other that they just had to find a way to spread that love with those that they cared for. While the journey into wine began when Jason & Sofia met, the launch of this dream come true did not start until July 8th, 2016. It was on that day when they decided to change their lives once and for all. This was the day when they made the final choice to start selling off their assets, changing their lifestyle and begin a journey into a dream that today we call “McClain Cellars.”

In 2007 the family acquired a plane and began going to all corners of the state trying to find just right conditions, soils, and winemakers. Starting in Napa Valley they spent time with wines of Duckhorn, Girard, Joseph Phelps, Gargiulo, Mondavi, Cakebread, Jessup Cellars, Hope & Grace and Domaine Chandon to name a few. Every vineyard is unique and every winemaker an artist. To learn from those who have a passion for the art is to be in the presence of greatness. They visited every tasting room, vineyard and facility they could find. The wine “research project” was soon becoming more than just a fun thing to do with friends… it was soon becoming a way of life. If they were going to craft a winery that would truly mean something… they had to do their research

Later, as their family grew older, they continued the journey in their Motorhome. Yes… they had three over the years and this is the most recent. What they could not access by plane, airport or car, they began planning camping trips around the state. It seemed like the perfect pastime. It allowed them to connect and be together as a family while also allowing them to take their home with them. Wine tasting with friends and family soon became a way of life. Before too long, another wonderful family and dear friends of the McClain, Mark & Christen Barley, bought into the idea, bought an RV and began to tag along. They went from wine tasting to wine tasting and bottle to bottle discussing what was good, bad and what they might do differently.

The McClains found soils and wines as far east as Colorado and as far north as Washington state. Nothing, however, was as wonderful as the wines they found in the Central Coast of California. This is where they had to put down roots. The next task at hand was to find the right land and the right winemaker to create something amazing.

Collecting… learning… investigating… and enjoying all that this great state has to offer, the McClain Family was on a journey of discovery. Finding just the right soils, grapes, aromas was only the first part. Connecting with the right winemakers to help them blend the perfect wine… now that was the big battle. It was also one of the most exciting parts of this adventure..

Throughout all of these years, the family learned three things..

1) A great wine is made from love by those with a true passion.

2) There is no better wine than the one you drink with your best friend.

3) Patience, laughter, and love are the most important ingredients in a good bottle.