winery

Birichino

United States of America

Philosophy

Native fermentation, stainless steel or neutral wood, minimal racking and fining, unfiltered. Marine-influenced cool climate emphasis. Old-vine sourcing: nineteenth and early twentieth-century plantings on own roots where possible, minimal intervention philosophy throughout.

Reputation

Birichino was established by Alex Krause and John Locke in 2008, two experienced winemakers who met at Bonny Doon and drew upon decades of collective experience in California, France, Italy and beyond. The naughty name—meaning mischievous in Italian—signals their playful approach to sourcing from nineteen- and early twentieth-century vineyard sites across the Central Coast.

AllocationBirichino sources from 14 different vineyards but owns none; functions as micro-negoce. Farming practices described as 'sustainably or organically farmed' by third-party sources; no formal organic certification found in search results, classified as organic_practicing. Production volume estimated at ~80,000 bottles per Alex Krause interview (March 2026). International distribution confirmed for Canada, UK, Sweden, Denmark; no specific US importer identified—direct sales and retail partnerships suggest self-distribution. Appellation situation: many vineyard sources fall just outside official AVA boundaries (Saint Georges Besson vineyards 50 feet below Santa Cruz Mountains AVA). Flagship wines reported as Malvasia Bianca and Grenache; expanded range now includes 30-33 cuvées annually. No biodynamic or regenerative certifications found. Succession status: Krause and Locke remain proprietors and winemakers (as of March 2026). Regional scope extends across Central Coast from Monterey to Mendocino, with core focus on marine-influenced cool sites.

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