Lenora Carey, owner of Big Sur Vineyards
Welcome to Big Sur Vineyards! I invite you to stop into our Carmel Valley tasting room. I’m excited to share our wines, adventures in winemaking, Big Sur Style, and year round events, plus live music! Hope to see you soon!
Lenora Carey – Owner/Partner
Owner Lenora Carey embodies a true spirit of adventure. A California native she once thrived as a documentary filmmaker, diving with sharks and tracing the footsteps of humanity’s origins were all in a day’s work.
But it was during a film project in Southern France that her life took a turn. In the Rhône Valley, she discovered a passion for the varietals and blends that would forever change her path. A few years later, seeking the natural beauty of Big Sur to raise her sons, she set up home on their family’s property - a hilltop oasis overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here, the ocean’s embrace and the region’s unique climate created the perfect environment for the grapes she loved.
Yet, just as she was establishing her legacy, tragedy struck. The devastating 2016 Soberanes fire consumed her home and vineyard, but Lenora’s indomitable spirit prevailed. Undeterred, she continued to craft her wines and grow her business, infusing each bottle with the boldness and vibrancy that mirrors her own journey.
Lenora and Winemaker Ryan Kobza on location at Sycamore Flat, Arroyo Seco.
Tasting through our latest vintage with Ryan and Kerry Winslow.
Ryan Kobza – Winemaker
Ryan Kobza is a dedicated winemaker whose passion for the craft has driven him to make exceptional wines in Monterey County since 2011. Originally from Reno, Nevada, Ryan’s journey into winemaking began in an unexpected way—working as a cook, where he first developed a deep appreciation for wine. Seeking a new creative outlet, he pursued vineyard management, quickly discovering that it was his true calling. Ryan honed his skills through formal education and an internship at Sonoma-Cutrer, where he crossed paths with Lenora. Their shared enthusiasm for the craft led to a strong friendship and a partnership that continues to shape Ryan’s winemaking philosophy.
Ryan is deeply committed to the art of vineyard management, where his focus lies in exploring the potential of unique and lesser-known grape varieties. In Monterey County’s diverse microclimates, he sees endless opportunities to experiment and innovate, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to create wines that are as distinctive as they are beautiful. His work with renowned winemaker Ian Brand and his own label, Kobza Wines, reflects his unwavering dedication to making wines that not only express the character of the land but also tell a story of passion, experimentation, and craftsmanship.
The journey of Big Sur Vineyards started humbly, on a scenic parcel overlooking the Big Sur coast and surrounded by the artistry of local farmers, beekeepers, and cheese makers. Lenora and her family planted olives, a garden of lavender and a variety of citrus trees.
With a deepening curiosity, they added grapevines, hoping to find varietals that would thrive in the coastal climate’s warm days and cool, ocean-swept nights. Over time, they found that Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah held great promise, and they began producing Big Sur Red, a wine rich in bold flavors and a hint of mystery—just like the landscape that inspired it.
From their first bottling of Big Sur Red in 2013 to the opening of their Carmel Valley tasting room in 2016, Big Sur Vineyards has blossomed. The family-run winery is dedicated to celebrating the Central Coast with wines that tell the story of the land, inviting guests to relax in a welcoming space with a lovely patio, offering views of the area’s beautiful coastal range.