Founded in 2014, Cary Q Wines is a woman-owned California winery built around curiosity, thoughtful adaptation, and a deep respect for the vineyard.
As California’s climate continues to evolve, so does the way I think about what—and where—I make wine. I’m drawn to naturally high-acid, climate-adaptive varieties that can thrive in warmer conditions while holding onto freshness, balance, and energy. Rather than trying to make wine the way it’s always been made, I believe in paying attention to what the vineyard is telling us now.
I work with organic and sustainably farmed vineyards throughout Northern California, often seeking out lesser-known Mediterranean and Rhône varieties that have traditionally played supporting roles in blends. I love allowing these grapes to stand on their own and show exactly what they can do.
My path to wine started far from California. Born and raised in Miami and proud of my Cuban heritage, I moved to Northern California in 2013, following a curiosity about wine that eventually became something much bigger. I’m largely self-taught and an alumna of the UC Davis Viticulture & Enology Winemaking Certificate Program. In 2014, I made my first vintage—a co-fermented Grenache and Mourvèdre from organically farmed Sonoma fruit—and Cary Q Wines was born.
In the cellar, I keep things intentionally simple: native fermentation, natural acidity, gentle extraction, minimal intervention, and vessels chosen to support the wine rather than shape it. Depending on the wine and vintage, that might mean concrete, stainless steel, or neutral French oak.
At its core, Cary Q is about making wines that feel alive—fresh, expressive, a little unexpected, and connected to where they come from. Wines made for the California we’re growing in now, with an eye toward where we’re headed next.
Woman-Owned | California Grown | Climate-Adaptive Varieties
Cary Quintana, Winemaker
