

ABOUT
Priya Family Vineyards
I stand at the heart of our vineyard… The warm Santa Barbara sun dipping below rolling hills, casting a golden light across rows of meticulously tended vines. These vines stretch out before me, a living testament to a dream years in the making—a dream rooted in tradition, nurtured by passion, and grown with love.

My journey to becoming a vintner has been as winding as the roads that lead to this very soil. The vision and dedication that planted the first seed comes from my family, a family of Indian immigrants who chased the promise of opportunity in the United States. Growing up straddling two cultures, I found beauty in both but belonged completely to neither. It was perhaps this duality that later inspired the signature of our wine: a beautiful "East meets West" fusion that tells a story with every sip.
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My love for wine began in the unlikeliest of ways, through my travels across the globe on business. My work in enterprise technology exposed me to diverse cuisines, cultures, and perspectives. But it was a journey through Burgundy, France that changed everything. There, I tasted wines so nuanced and layered they seemed to whisper tales of the soil, the seasons, and the hands that crafted them. That experience planted a seed in the ethos of Priya Family Vineyards.
It wasn’t merely the taste of Burgundy’s wines that captivated me; it was the reverence for tradition, the deep connection to nature, and the artistry of winemaking. For years, I continued my work in technology, saving and investing every extra penny, while immersing myself in the study of viticulture and oenology. Books, tastings, courses—each step was a building block towards a dream.
When the time came to bring this vision to life, I knew that Santa Barbara County was where our roots would take hold. Its cool coastal breezes, fog-kissed mornings, and mineral-rich soil reminded us of Burgundy, yet held a distinct charm all its own.

Here, we found the perfect conditions to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the very varietals that first ignited my passion. Thus, Priya Family Vineyards was born, a tribute to my paternal grandmother, whose name carries the warmth of family and legacy.
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But our vineyard is more than just a place; it's a story in every bottle. We honor tradition while daring to innovate. Drawing from my Indian heritage, I made the decision to age our wines in Indian oak barrels, diverging from the conventional French or American oak. Indian oak, with its tighter grains, imparts a unique structure, adding notes of spice and subtle complexity. The result? A vintage unlike any other, seamlessly blending the elegance of French winemaking with the vibrancy of Indian craftsmanship.
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East meets West: Every bottle tells a story— my family's story, our journey, and now, yours.
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What I cherish most about the world of wine is its power to transcend boundaries. In a world often divided by differences, wine brings people together. It teaches us that diversity isn’t a barrier but a beautiful mosaic. Every winemaker, across time and continents, contributes unique insights—from grape clone compositions to fermentation nuances, to family secrets whispered through generations. It’s these differences that make wine extraordinary.
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Tasting after tasting, we witness this magic firsthand. People from all walks of life gather, conversations flowing as freely as the wine. Friendships form over shared appreciation, and in these moments, we’re reminded of the profound unity found in celebrating what makes each of us unique.
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Yet, beyond the accolades and the satisfaction of seeing a dream realized, the greatest joy lies in sharing our creation with others. Hosting gatherings, raising glasses, and exchanging stories connect us to something timeless. It echoes the communal meals from my childhood, where food and drink were more than sustenance—they were expressions of love, connection, and celebration.
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As the sun sets over our vines, we raise our glasses, with hearts full of gratitude. We reflect on the long hours and hard work that has transformed a patch of California soil into something extraordinary. And most of all, we celebrate you—the people who join us on this journey. With each glass of wine, each conversation, each shared experience, we grow closer together.
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“Each bottle of our wine is produced with zest, with your delight in mind. At Priya Family Vineyards, passion meets purpose. It is a privilege to share our wine with you."
Thank you,
Shomo Das