Uniquely tied to the exciting world of professional sports car racing and garnering wins from racing around a track at 180 miles per hour at the highest levels of professional competition takes extreme focus, attention, and a drive for perfection. To professional race car driver and team owner, Kevin Buckler so does winemaking.
Following the legendary success of his professional race team The Racers Group (TRG), Kevin and his wife Debra opened Adobe Road Winery in the heart of Sonoma County in 2002. Their goal, to craft wines that exemplify the true essence of California’s most revered winegrowing regions. “We work hard to make sure each bottle of Adobe Road wine showcases the best attributes of each individual vineyard, within each appellation we source from,” says Kevin. “We choose the best parts of Sonoma and Napa Valley for our elite Cabernet Sauvignons, Dry Creek for our hedonistically rich Syrahs and Zinfandels, as well as the Petaluma Gap for our ethereal Pinot Noirs and lavishly flavored yetsleek Chardonnays.”
Adobe Road sacrifices nothing when it comes to producing their line-up of premium wines. Kevin himself spends countless hours working closely with his Winemaker, Garrett Martin, and team, to perfect the flavor and balance of each and every release. He takes the time to study the fruit, experiments with new blends and meticulously monitors the fermentation process ensuring the ideal conditions throughout production. Adobe Road knows the importance of nurturing its relationships with California’s most renowned and passionate growers. It is this attention to the details that brings out the personality and character of the wines and has garnered so many awards with prominent wine publications and industry competitions throughout the years.
In 2008, after substantial success, Adobe Road took the next steps in their growth when they moved into a production facility just steps away from their sister company TRG in Petaluma, CA. Kevin felt it imperative that he have uncompromising access and control of the process when making such special, artisanal wines, especially in these small, exclusive amounts. “There isn’t always a need for speed in my life,” jokes Buckler. The winery was specifically designed to allow Kevin and his team to spend time with each lot. Carefully monitoring each barrel allows him to make the right decisions at the ideal time. Kevin savors the process which helps him fully understand and manage the many variables that go into developing these prestigious wines.
In 2016 Kevin and Debra once again did what was necessary to support their fastgrowing winery. They purchased a warehouse property on the riverfront of beautiful, historic Downtown Petaluma, a booming, character rich, wine country town. The new facility that will start construction in summer of 2019 will house not only the winery and tasting room, but a car museum, catering facilities, dining rooms, and visitor center.
Support and excitement around the new facility erupted when announced in late 2016 and is guaranteed to become the new destination winery to those living in and visiting wine country.
The exceptional quality and success of Adobe Road’s wines and the multitude of accolades and notoriety awarded to this small boutique winery boil down to one of Buckler’s most profound perspectives …”The best grapes, from the best vineyards, make the best wines, period.”
