Articles

Pioneers of Sustainable Winegrowing Pass the Torch Wine Business Monthly November 2024

Ampelos Vineyard, a pioneering vineyard in Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA renowned for its early commitment to organic, biodynamic and sustainable viticulture, has been acquired by Chiara Shannon and Joseph Brent. The sale marks a significant transition as founders Peter and Rebecca Work pass on the stewardship of their iconic vineyard to a new husband-and-wife team who bring a passion for regenerative farming practices and a fresh vision to the operation. Ampelos Cellars, the winery established by the Works, will continue to operate as a separate business.

Former Sta. Rita Hills Biodynamic Vineyard Ampelos Sold Pam Strayer November 2024

A press release from Ampelos Vineyard said that Peter and Rebecca Work, long time owners, have sold their Santa Rita Hills vineyard to wine industry professional Chiara Shannon and lawyer Joseph Brent.

The Works bought their land as they fled from the 9-11 tragedy in New York City in 2001. Peter, a native of Denmark, liked to call himself “the Danish cowboy.” They grew both Rhone grapes and Pinot Noir and are fond of pointing out they were the first to be certified organic, biodynamic and sustainable in the region. (In 2021, they dropped biodynamic certification). Recently they’ve been getting ready to become certified regenerative organic.

Santa Barbara County’s Ampelos Vineyard Sold Santa Barbara Independent November 2024

One of the region’s most celebrated biodynamic vineyards is changing hands, as Peter and Rebecca Work have sold Ampelos Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, which they established in 1999.  

I’ve known the Works personally for almost 20 years now, and Peter was one of my mentors when it came to understanding vineyards and winemaking as a journalist in the mid-2000s. Their saga of succeeding in corporate America before a close call with 9/11 convinced them to go all in on their vineyard is still compelling today. 

They quickly embraced biodynamics at a time when Santa Barbara County’s only other proponent of the farming style was Beckmen Vineyards. They went even further, as Ampelos became the first vineyard in the United States simultaneously certified as organic, biodynamic, and sustainable in 2009. 

Work and Fun at Ampelos Cellars The Wine Write August 2022

"Wines should be a perfect handshake-the nose promises and the palate delivers."

For two decades that simple phrase has guided the hands of Rebecca and Peter Work atAmpelos Cellars. The couple purchased their eighty-two acre property in what is now theSta. Rita Hills appellation in 1999. Rebecca and Peter were both corporate executives at thetime. They saw their Santa Barbara County ranch as a place to escape. Down the road itmight accommodate a change of lifestyle.

Ampelos Cellars Takes You To Funky Town Santa Barbara Independent June 2022

Over the past two decades, Peter and Rebecca Work clicked all the correct boxes to become successful, prominent, and influential vintners in Santa Barbara County: planting primarily pinot noir vines in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills; building an urban winery and tasting room in Lompoc; creating a soulful brand Called Ampelos Cellars; leading the shift toward biodynamic and organic grape-growing.

Give Thanks Give Back  805 Living November 2020
Winemaking is an agricultural endeavor. Soil is tilled, vines are trained, grapes are grown, and the crop is picked. As winemakers have come to realize, however, these processes can have significant ecological and labor implications.

Coming Clean  Wine Institute November 2020
In the session, Coming “Clean” is about Sustainable, Organic, Natural and Traditional Wines.  What do these really mean and how can producers who embrace them work together.

Eve's Wine101 Review  November 2020
Review of the 2016 Syrache

25 Best Things to do in Lompoc Vacation Idea July 2019
Lompoc is a popular getaway destination for wine lovers, history buffs and art enthusiasts. You can take a drive along the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Trail to uncover some of the best locally made wines or join a 246 Wine Tour and leave the driving to your guide.

The American Syrah Report  ​Enobytes March 2019
Syrah made its way to North America in the 1800s, yet, acreage remained scarce until the 21st century. It wasn’t until the 1980s when Rhone Rangers’ visionaries revived Rhône varietals, which dramatically increased Syrah plantings across California.

It is All in the Taste American Journal of Enology February 2019
​A new review published in the prestigious American Journal of Enology and Viticulture has found when it comes to taste, "going organic" consistently produced positive results.

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