For Immediate Release
Contact: Sao Anash
Muse Management
805.686.0911
sao@musemanagement.net

Native9 Wine Pays Homage to Nine Generations in California
     Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, CA – James Rey Ontiveros, who represents the 9th generation of the well-noted Ontiveros agriculture family of California, has launched his own wine brand, Native9 Wine. Though he has been a vineyard owner for years, and managed vineyards both in Northern California, and the Central Coast, this will be Ontiveros’ first foray into winemaking…..at least legally.
     Grown at Ontiveros’ 8-acre estate vineyard on the family’s cattle ranch, it is aptly named Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards. The ranch is in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, and the debut release, a 2004 Pinot Noir, is comprised of the Swan, Benedict, 2A and Pommard Clones. Ninety-nine cases of the 2004 Native9/ Rancho Ontiveros Pinot Noir were produced. The Rancho Ontiveros vineyard designate can also be found on Pinot Noirs produced by Loring Wine Company, A.P. Vin and Ambullneo Vineyards. Consulting winemaker, and old friend from Cal Poly, SLO, Paul Wilkins, of Wilkins Vinotech Winery and Vineyard Consulting, assisted in the production of the debut release, and will stay on board to assist Ontiveros with all future offerings.
     Ontiveros conceptualized the development of the Native9 wine label, which features a rendering of the Santa Barbara Cheek Bit, a nod to Ontiveros’ family legacy within the state of California; a legacy which began in 1781, when the first generation arrived in California. They acquired a stretch of land called the El Cajon de Santa Ana, but sold it later to acquire the Rancho Tepusquet Land Grant. Today, the Tepesquet Land Grant is farmed mostly to vineyards, and is located at the North edge of Santa Barbara County. The silver-smithed horse bit, which originated in Santa Barbara, was created by craftsmen who used sterling silver and iron as their medium. Horsemen of the Old California Ranchos and Vaqueros would proudly adorn their best horses with regionally produced trappings, such as the Santa Barbara spade mouth bit. They have become important, coveted symbols of regional pride, as well as the traditions and pageantry of California.
     Also featured prominently on the wine label is a simple pencil drawing by noted Cowboy Hall of Fame artist, Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt. This is the first wine label Shoofly has agreed to design, while the rest of his impressive body of artwork shows in galleries and museums around the country. The debut label will be the first in an on-going series of artist’s labels. Each subsequent vintage will also feature a back label, written by Ontiveros, tracking the history of his family from their first days in California, to contemporary California.
To learn more about Native9 Wine, please visit www.native9wine.com.