About Crux

Our Story

Crux Winery embodies the collaboration between two friends, Steve Gower and Brian Callahan, who merged their passion for wine into a joint venture in 2012.

Meeting as neighbors in 2003 sparked a friendship that blossomed over shared bottles, leading them from wine enthusiasts to home winemakers and, ultimately, founders of Crux Winery. Despite their backgrounds outside the wine industry, their dedication and shared vision propelled them forward. Today, Crux Winery stands as the realization of their shared aspirations, crafting Rhone varietals sourced from their home vineyards and nearby growers in the Russian River Valley.

Our vineyards, located in the Middle Reach neighborhood of the Russian River Valley, just south of Healdsburg, are ideal for growing Rhone varietals. Benefitting from the effects of the river the AVA is famous for, we also see the largest diurnal temperature swings that provide richness and depth of flavor to our fruit without excessive sugars. Crux Winery is a Rhone specialist focused on crafting alluring wines made from meticulously nurtured in our sustainably cultivated vineyards. Each bottle tells a story of the valley’s terroir, the vintage, and the varietal.

Winemaking

Our wines are hand tended by Steve and Brian, from the vineyard all the way to your wine cellar. We hope you enjoy drinking them as much as we love making them.

Steve and Brian meticulously oversee every step of winemaking, from vineyard to cellar, ensuring each bottle reflects the pure expression of the fruit. Minimal intervention allows the natural character of the grapes to shine. Whites undergo gentle pressing and tank fermentation typically without fining or filtration, while reds are destemmed, cold soaked, and fermented with native yeast in small fermenters. Oak usage is judicious, with barrels topped regularly and racked only at blending time, resulting in wines of finesse and balance.

Vineyards

Sustainably farming three acres of estate vineyards and collaborating closely with neighboring growers, Steve and Brian nurture the vines that bear the fruits of their labor. With most varietals grown on-site and some sourced from nearby vineyards, they have curated a portfolio that captures the essence of the Russian River Valley. Located near their homes, the leased winery affords them hands-on control over every aspect of production, from grape to glass. While their wines are primarily available through direct channels, they also grace the wine lists of select Northern California establishments.