OUR JOURNEY

Discover the ethos of Aperture

Founded in 2009 by Jesse Katz in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, Aperture Cellars was conceived as a winery dedicated to expressive, terroir-driven wines that bridge art and agriculture. From the beginning, Aperture set out to reinterpret winemaking through a creative lens, pairing innovative viticulture with visual storytelling inspired by the photography of Jesse’s father, Andy Katz. Today, Aperture is recognized as one of California’s most acclaimed and dynamic wineries, celebrated for its craftsmanship, sustainability, and artistic point of view.

Andy and Jesse with their camera in the vineyards of Europe

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In 2016, Aperture acquired the historic 42-acre vineyard in Healdsburg, California, establishing the Aperture Estate. Home to vines originally planted in 1912, the property now features a 24,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art winery and a 4,000-square-foot hospitality center designed by Signum Architecture.

The estate’s high-efficiency, environmentally sustainable design reflects Aperture’s ethos while drawing direct inspiration from the physical aperture of a camera. Dramatic angles, clean lines, and an emphasis on natural light serve as an architectural tribute to photography and to the shared vision of father and son.

WINEMAKER

Jesse Katz is a founder and winemaker whose work sits at the intersection of fine wine, art, and innovation. In 2009, he founded Aperture Cellars in Sonoma County with a singular mission: to craft expressive, terroir-driven wines from cooler climate Bordeaux varietal vineyard sites.

Jesse developed his craft working from the best producers in the world—Pétrus, Screaming Eagle, Viña Cobos, Bodega Noemia, and more.

Jesse’s influence on the industry was recognized early in his career. In 2013, Wine Enthusiast named him one of its 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, and he made history as the first winemaker ever selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list—solidifying his reputation as a generational talent shaped by global perspective, creative vision, and uncompromising craft. In 2025 he garnered global acclaim as Wine Enthusiasts’ Winemaker of the Year in the highly lauded Wine Star Awards and was featured as one of Galerie Magazine’s Creative Minds 2026 list.

From its inception, Aperture has reimagined the winemaking experience through a distinct artistic lens, uniting thoughtful viticulture with visual storytelling inspired by the photography of Jesse’s father, renowned artist Andy Katz. Today, Aperture Cellars stands among California’s most acclaimed and dynamic wineries, recognized for its craftsmanship, sustainability, and unmistakable point of view.

“Like my father’s ability to tell amazing stories through his photography, my greatest joy is bringing together the intricacies of space, place, and time – in essence, the terroir – that make an exceptional bottle of wine.”

— JESSE KATZ, Winemaker

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OUR JOURNEY

Discover the ethos of Aperture

WINEMAKER

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OUR JOURNEY

Discover the ethos of Aperture

WINEMAKER

Wines

Visit Us

Recognition