Gusto

Gusto was pioneered by Guy Davis in 1998. Guy Davis is owner, viticulturist and winemaker at Davis Family Vineyards. The drive behind Gusto stems from Guy’s love of the flavors and diversity of wines produced in the world’s greatest wine regions--wines with distinctive varietal and local character. Guy grows and vinifies Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and produces Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley (all under the Davis Family Vineyards label) because he feels those are world-class areas for growing those grape varieties.

In 1998, Guy came upon the idea that rather than try to produce a wide array of different varietals all in California, he preferred to make wines "locally". Guy has sought out some of the top grape growers in different regions around the globe--places where specific each grape varieties express their unique, local character.

Guy’s first international love affair was with the Malbec grapes he encountered while visiting the high-elevation vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. He now makes one rich, Malbec-based wine from Mendoza every year which he calls Gusto Vita (or "Taste Life"). Gusto is the Spanish word for "taste" or "pleasure", and it is also the nickname given to Guy by his Spanish speaking vineyard workers in California. The name started as Gustavo, a proper Spanish name, but once his helpers saw his affinity for food, wine and good times, it became "Gusto".

Whether it's Malbec from Mendoza or Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, these are special wines—born from perfectly grown grapes from special places, and handled with just the right amount of care and attention to elicit that special sense of "thereness".