Inspired By Tradition
Two decades of family, farming, and a shared passion for exceptional wine.
Our Story
When Larry and Sharon Grassini purchased their Santa Ynez property in 1988, creating a vineyard was not part of the plan. The undeveloped land was originally leased to a neighbor who bred cutting horses, and the family even considered establishing a horse-breeding facility of their own.
A successful trial attorney by profession, Larry had also inherited a love of farming from his family. Years later, as vineyards began taking root around them, that passion led Larry and Sharon to consider a new future for their property. Inspired by the exceptional wines being produced in Santa Barbara County, they had the land evaluated and discovered that its soils and climate were particularly well suited to Bordeaux varieties.
The first vines followed, and Grassini Family Vineyards began to take root. Family history remains woven into the winery today through wines including Articondo, named for Larry's grandfather, and Afiora, named for Sharon's grandmother, honoring the generations and traditions that came before them
Continuing the Legacy
What Larry and Sharon began has grown into a true family endeavor. Their daughter Katie took the helm of Grassini Family Vineyards in 2010, leaving behind her own career as a trial attorney to help shape the winery's next chapter.
Today, Katie carries her family's vision forward alongside her husband, Dean McKillen, who serves as Estate Director, and a team dedicated to exceptional estate-grown wines, genuine hospitality, and a deep connection to the Santa Barbara community. Together, they continue to build on the foundation Larry and Sharon established, honoring Grassini's history while thoughtfully shaping its future.
From Vine to Bottle
At the eastern edge of the Santa Ynez Valley, our 104-acre estate lies within the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, where warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for Bordeaux varieties. The pronounced shift between daytime and nighttime temperatures allows Cabernet Sauvignon to develop richness and complexity without sacrificing freshness and balance. It also helps Sauvignon Blanc retain the vibrant acidity and aromatics that define the variety.
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First planted in 2002, our vineyard is farmed block by block, with every decision tailored to the needs of each variety and site. From high-density planting and careful crop reduction to hand-training and harvest timing, each detail is thoughtfully considered throughout the growing season.
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Each vineyard block is harvested and fermented separately in small lots, allowing its individual character to guide the winemaking process. Both our red and white wines are given generous time in barrel to develop depth, complexity, and balance. Built into the hillside, our winery opens into naturally cooled caves that provide consistent temperature and humidity throughout the aging process.
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Our commitment to the estate extends well beyond each vintage. Solar energy helps power our winery and vineyard operations, our lake supports vineyard irrigation, and water used during production is reclaimed. Reclaimed antique fir from late-1800s Columbia River timbers was also incorporated into the winery and later used to create the bar at our downtown Santa Barbara Tasting Room.
Our Team
Katie Grassini
CEO
Katie Grassini has led her family’s winery since 2010, bringing a diverse background in hospitality, technology, and law to her role as CEO. A graduate of California State University, Chico and The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, Katie practiced as a trial lawyer before turning her focus to Grassini Family Vineyards.
Today, she guides the winery’s continued growth while remaining closely involved in business development, hospitality, and the family’s commitment to the Santa Barbara community. Under her leadership, Grassini has expanded from its Santa Ynez Estate to include a downtown Santa Barbara Tasting Room and La Tarantella, while earning recognition for both its wines and philanthropic efforts.
Katie is also actively involved in the local wine and hospitality community and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association.
Eric Satterblom
COO & CFO
Born and raised in Orange County, Eric moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB. After A Southern California native, Eric moved to Santa Barbara to attend UC Santa Barbara and went on to spend two decades as an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry, developing extensive experience in finance, operations, and team leadership.
Eric later transitioned into accounting and financial management, working with a diverse portfolio of businesses before specializing in wineries and vineyards. After seven years advising Grassini Family Vineyards as an outside consultant, he officially joined the team as COO and CFO.
Today, Eric oversees the winery’s financial strategy and operations, bringing a deep understanding of the unique complexities of vineyard management, wine production, and long-term business planning to Grassini’s continued growth.
Bradley Long
Winemaker
Born and raised in New Orleans, Bradley grew up surrounded by great food and developed an early appreciation for the way flavors can be layered and balanced. After moving to California in 2006, he worked his first harvest at Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley and quickly discovered that winemaking was the career he wanted to pursue.
Bradley continued honing his craft at Cakebread before focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon at Nickel & Nickel and later serving as Cellar Master at Fantesca Estate & Winery. After completing a vintage in Australia, he turned his attention to California’s Central Coast and the emerging potential of Bordeaux varieties in Happy Canyon.
As Winemaker at Grassini Family Vineyards, Bradley works closely with our estate vineyard and cellar teams to create wines that express the character and complexity of the site, balancing richness and structure with freshness and elegance.
Dean McKillen
Estate Director
Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Dean began his wine career in California with J&L Wines, a Central Coast distributor. During more than a decade in wine sales and brand development, he worked with hundreds of California and international producers while specializing in high-end wines, including Grassini Family Vineyards.
That longstanding familiarity with Grassini eventually brought Dean to the winery itself. As Estate Director, he oversees hospitality across our Santa Ynez properties and works closely with the team to ensure that every guest experience reflects the quality of our wines and the warmth of our hospitality.
With more than 16 years of wine industry experience, Dean brings both extensive wine knowledge and a deeply personal approach to welcoming guests to the Estate.
Maria Svensson
Events & Hospitality Manager
Maria brings more than 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, event planning, and estate management to Grassini Family Vineyards.
She spent more than two decades with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts at the iconic Biltmore Santa Barbara, holding leadership roles in catering, special events, and hospitality operations. Her experience also includes managing weddings, private celebrations, and villa stays at Sunstone Winery, as well as overseeing private estates throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito.
As Events & Hospitality Manager, Maria oversees weddings, private events, and guest stays across the winery’s properties, including La Tarantella Villa. Known for her warmth and attention to detail, she brings a personal touch to every occasion, from the first conversation to the last toast.
Lauren Dinger
Wine Club & Operations Manager
Originally from Boston, Lauren Dinger graduated summa cum laude from Emory University with degrees in Sociology and Spanish. Living in Spain and traveling throughout Europe sparked an early appreciation for wine, and in 2012 she moved to California to build a career in the industry.
Lauren joined Grassini Family Vineyards in 2016 and has worked across nearly every part of the business since. As Wine Club & Operations Manager, she oversees wine club and direct-to-consumer operations, including digital marketing, fulfillment, staff training, and the systems that keep it all running smoothly.
A decade with the winery has given Lauren a deep understanding of its wines, its people, and its members. She pairs clear communication with practical expertise to create a thoughtful, consistent experience for every member.
