Kynsi Winery

This is a small family owned winery located in the Edna Valley appellation founded by Don and Gwen Orthman in 1995. The winery is located in a renovated 1940s dairy. The winery's logo features a barn owl. When the Orthmans first started the winery, there was a serious gopher infestation in an old run-down dairy barn, and barn owls wiped out the breeding gophers. The name, Kynsi, means talon in Finnish, a reference to the Orthman's beloved barn owl.

Don is well known in the Central Coast because his company, Bulldog Welding and Manufacturing, custom designed and redesigned winemaking equipment. In 1986, Don invented the Bulldog Pup, a gas pressure racking wand that is used instead of a pump to move wine in or out of barrels. The Bulldog Pup has become an indispensable cellar tool and thousands have been sold throughout the world. Originally designed to handle delicate Pinot Noir, it is now widely used for premium quality, barrel-aged wines.

Grapes are sourced from low-yield vineyards including Righetti Ranch in Edna Valley and Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley as well as from the Stone Corral Vineyard which is a joint project between Talley Vineyards, Stephen Ross Cellars and Kynsi Winery.

The Othmans have been joined by daughter Kala and her spouse Michael. The focus is on limited production Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and red blends including a blend of Pinot Noir and Grenache.

The wines are available on the website. The tasting room in Arroyo Grande is open Thursday through Monday, 11:00 to 5:00 and daily during the summer.