Dan & Kathleen Karlsen bought a 40 acre parcel in 1999 on Carmel Valley Road, Greenfield, California.  The property consisted of a family home, a metal barn, and wilderness.  The site sits near the 35 mile post marker across from the Los Padres National Forest which is almost 1.5 million acres and is part of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range.  It is remote, rugged, and rural.

In 2003, Dan decided to plant 7 acres of Pinot Noir grapes on the property.  That endeavor consisted of land clearing, irrigation installation, plants & planting, and lots of nurturing.  We found with wilderness farming there are critters out there that love Pinot Noir grapes too!

In 2006, the winery (metal barn) was outfitted with a wine press, tanks, barrels, and we officially became CHOCK ROCK VINEYARD (Federal/State/County approved).

In 2007 we had our first harvest picking Pinot Noir.  Our first harvest was awesome, dream fulfilled, hard, and rewarding.  We especially feel that way when we taste our Pinot Noir.  We swoon every time, and feel like proud parents.  The wine is delicate, delicious, mischievous.

Today, Chock Rock Vineyard produces- Estate Grown Pinot Noir; a Monterey County Pinot Noir; Syrah from Chalone Appellation; Syrah from Arroyo Seco Appellation;

and Chardonnay from Santa Lucia Appellation.

In 2010 we decided to graft over ½ acre to Chardonnay, now the property will produce Chardonnay in 2012 along with Pinot Noir.  In 2011 we also purchased Pinot Blanc fruit & Syrah from the Graff Family Vineyard in the Chalone Appellation and will see that production in 2012.  Chock Rock Vineyard is a small production winery about 1,200 cases with the ability to grow to 5,000 cases.

Chock Rock Vineyard located a site in Carmel Valley Village in May of 2011 and opened a Tasting Room.  The tasting room is located in the heart of the village with a light filled space perfect for gazing at the tree lined mountain while tasting wine.

Dan’s extensive background in the wine business started with:

Dry Creek Vineyard,
Healdsburg, California (1980-1984);

Dehlinger Winery,
Sebastopol, California (1984-1988);

Domaine Carneros,
Napa, California (1988-1996);

Estancia,
Soledad, California (1997);

Chalone Vineyard,
Soledad, California (1997-2006);

Talbott Vineyard,
Gonzalez, California (2008 – present).