It all began with a VW van.
At the heart of Anaba Wines lies the extraordinary journey of John Sweazey, the driving force behind this family-owned winery. John’s path to creating a world-class wine estate spans four decades and stands as a testament to his diverse experiences and unyielding dedication. Hailing from suburban Park Ridge, IL, John’s trajectory took him from studying business at Stanford University to venturing into computer sales and embarking on a transformative European exploration in a VW van. This adventure ignited his passion for wine and planted the seeds for what Anaba Wines would eventually become.
1971: Nine months in a VW van
Following his university years, John entered the corporate world, selling computer systems for IBM across Chicago. Despite his success, he felt an unfulfilled yearning for a more creative career. In 1971, he made a bold decision to quit his corporate job, embarking on a nine-month journey through Europe.
From the northern reaches of Finland to the Sahara Desert, John’s travels illuminated the rich culture of wine enjoyed throughout European countrysides, inspiring his vision for a winery that would capture this sense of camaraderie and conviviality.
During my travels to Europe, I found myself enamored by gracious French hospitality and delicious wines, and the dream to create an ‘everyman’s pinot’ was born. We hope you feel that same sense of gracious Anaba hospitality when you leave our tasting room.
John Sweazey
The San Francisco years
Back in the US, John settled in San Francisco and built a career in commercial real estate. The winery idea took a back seat to work and family, but it never went away.
Month-long trips to Europe became a habit, most of them through France’s wine regions, and two kept pulling him back: Burgundy and the Southern Rhône. Those are still the wines Anaba makes today.
2005: Sixteen acres in Carneros
John’s dream of owning a winery took a backseat to his career and family, but his vision never waned. In the early 2000s, in Carneros, Sonoma County, John purchased land to lay the foundation for Anaba Wines. His aspiration to craft a lifestyle around wine, hospitality, and family traditions became the driving force behind the winery’s creation.
With a deep commitment to his vision, John crafted Anaba Wines as a sanctuary of exceptional craftsmanship and warm hospitality. His commitment to creating a space where wine, hospitality, and family traditions converge is embodied in every aspect of Anaba Wines.
As you explore our estate, savor our wines, and experience the welcoming atmosphere, know that it all began with a dream, a journey, and a profound love for the world of wine.
2009: Powered by the sun, sustained by the wind.
Four years in, Anaba became the first winery in Northern California to run on wind power, with a 45-foot turbine on the estate. Coupled with the installation of our solar panels, Anaba Wines prides itself on using 100% renewable electricity.
Our commitment to green energy extends to our visitors as well, with 4 complimentary EV car chargers readily available at our premises. As a recognized Sonoma Certified Sustainable Winegrower, every step we take is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.
Why “Anaba”?
Wines from the Rhône Valley and Burgundy were John’s favorites during his travels in the early 70s, and they are the inspiration for the wines we produce today. As it turns out, Sonoma’s microclimates are ideal for these grape varieties.
The Anaba estate sits in the western part of the Carneros appellation, where cool Pacific breezes flow up the gently sloping, sustainably farmed vineyards.
The name comes from those winds. On summer afternoons, cool air moves inland from the Pacific and San Pablo Bay, and as it meets our slopes and drifts upward it becomes an anabatic wind, the same kind that reminded John of the Mistral in the Rhône. Soaring glider pilots rely on them for flight. We rely on them for the coolness they bring to the vines, which slows the ripening and gives our grapes their flavor and character.
