Winemaker Interview Series – Mike Kobler of Kobler Estate Winery – July 2026

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, we had the opportunity to interview Mike Kobler Jr. Mike is the winemaker at Kobler Estate Winery. During the interview, we covered two 2024 Rosé wines, one made from Pinot Noir, and one made from Syrah. We also covered a 2023 and a 2024 Viognier from the Russian River Valley. Those discussions were followed by a focus on a 2023 and a 2024 Chardonnay from the Bacigalupi Vineyards. We wrapped up the interview with a 2022 Syrah and a 2023 “Reserve” Syrah. We also learned a bit about Kobler Family Estate and Mike. You can read the summary of our reviews of all these wines in this post!

Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits that Mike shared in the interview.

• A Little Family History.
  • Mike’s grandfather Helmut retired from engineering to Dry Creek.
    • His grandfather was a concentration camp survivor.
  • Mike’s grandmother planted 4 acres of Sauvignon Blanc.
  • His grandfather wanted to do something. So, he tended to the vineyard as a hobby.
  • Mike’s father was commuting to San Francisco.
  • The vineyard was just there as a kid for Mike.
  • Mike’s parents (Mike Sr. and Debbie) have four kids and Uncle Otto and his wife Barbara have two kids.
  • In 2000 his grandparents went to assisted living, and the initial passion project vineyard was sold.
  • The story of Kobler Estate began in 1996 when Mike Sr. and his brother Otto, along with their wives Debbie and Barbara, planted the estate’s first Syrah vineyard.
    • Otto’s family lives on that vineyard.
    • 5 acres are planted.
  • Mike’s parents bought a nearby Viognier vineyard. (1/2 acre) They live on that vineyard.
  • Initially all they did was sell grapes.
• Mike’s path to the family business.
  • He graduated with an economics degree in 2007.
  • He could not get a job in finance, so he worked at Abercrombie for 2 years.
  • So, he decided to start a wine brand using the family grapes.
• Starting Kobler Estate Winery
  • In 2010, Mike Kobler, Jr., founded Kobler Estate Winery and released its first Pinot Noir.
  • Mike was managing the sales for the winery.
  • They started with a little Pinot Noir. Then Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.
  • His brother Brian worked for Korbel, Clos du Bois, and Geyser Peak.
  • He also worked at Ross Road Custom Crush as a cellar master.
  • He was hired as winemaker for the family winery in 2012.
  • In 2013 Mike asked his friend Nicole Bacigalupi if they could buy a little fruit.
    • They were granted their wish in 2014. They received 2 tons.
    • Mike wanted to make a Chardonnay.
    • His brother made it in 2014, and it was rated 95 points by Robert Parker.
  • Their Bacigalupi contract is year to year.
    • Each year you must submit barrel samples. If they bless it, they award you a trademark agreement to use their name.
  • Healdsburg Custom Crush
    • This facility was opened in 2015 by Mike Sr., Brian, and Stephanie.
    • Brian was making their Kobler Estate wine there.
    • As production manager, he also oversaw the production of wine for 26 other wineries.
    • When Covid came around, he decided in 2021 he wanted to spend more time with his kids.
  • As a result, Mike became the Estate winemaker in 2021.
    • Mike transitioned from sales to become the winemaker for the winery.
      • This brother wrote out the winemaking process like a recipe.
    • 2022 was Mike’s first vintage.
    • He is also still in charge of sales. From February thru May he is gone and on the road selling wine.
  • The Winery Today and the Wines.
    • The total production is between 1,200 and 1,600 cases per year.
    • They tend to pick early.
    • He changed the yeast they use for the Viognier and Chardonnay in 2024.
    • They use 20% to 25% new French oak on the Chardonnay.
    • Mike treats Viognier very gently in the winemaking process.
    • The Syrah Rosé comes from the lowest part of the vineyard. It takes forever for that fruit to get ripe. (It is perfect for Rosé)
    • My first introduction to Kobler Syrah was a 2009 vintage wine made by Donelan. Donelan still buys the Syrah grapes from the family.

Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Kobler Family that we covered with Mike. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also find a few online. For example, you can purchase these wines on the Kobler Family Estate website.

1. Kobler 2024 “Rosé of Pinot Noir” (North Coast) $24 (KWGTP 88.5)
2. Kobler 2024 “Rosé of Syrah” (North Coast) $28 (KWGTP 90)
3. Kobler 2024 Viognier “Russian River Valley” $36 (KWGTP 93)
4. Kobler 2023 Viognier “Russian River Valley” $36 (KWGTP 92)
5. Kobler 2024 Chardonnay “Bacigalupi Vineyards” (Russian River Valley) $65 (KWGTP 90.5)
6. Kobler 2023 Chardonnay “Bacigalupi Vineyards” (Russian River Valley) $65 (KWGTP 93.5)
7. Kobler 2023 Syrah “Reserve” (Green Valley) $85 (KWGTP 92.5)
8. Kobler 2022 Syrah “Kobler Family Vineyards” (Green Valley) $70 (KWGTP 91.5)

You can find reviews of past and future Kobler wines that we cover on the Kobler KWG winery page on our website. We hope you enjoy these wines as much as we did. Cheers! – Ken