Wynne Sargeant

Wynne Sargeant grew up in Windsor, California, in the heart of Sonoma County. She was surrounded by the wine culture, but it was not part of her family’s day-to-day life. When Wynne was in high school, her mother, a teacher, said that if she was going to college, she needed to explore job options. The two of them ultimately visited Korbel Winery, and when they went into the cellar, Wynne knew that her future would be in the wine industry.

Chemistry was her favorite class in high school, and this, combined with her enjoyment of cooking, set the stage for a career in winemaking. She earned a B.S. degree in the Wine and Viticulture program at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, while also doing intern/apprenticeship work at Stephen Ross Wine Cellars in the Edna Valley, where she remained for two years after graduation.

The experience of tasting wines produced from fruit originating in Santa Barbara County convinced Wynne that her destiny was there, so she joined Melville Winery in Lompoc. It was at Melville that she became deeply involved with the role of viticulture in producing the fruit that results in fine wines. This experience served her well when she became the assistant winemaker at Peake Ranch Vineyard in 2018 and winemaker in the following year.

Wynne left Peake Ranch in early 2025, when she joined Brave and Maiden Estate. She is crafting its Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Rosé, along with other red varietals and blends there. Her overall vision for her wines is to focus on the unique attributes of the area while emphasizing balance in the wines. She and her husband have their own label, Matilija Wines.

When not engaged at the winery, Wynne enjoys hiking, rock climbing, practicing yoga, and running. Like many winemakers, she like to cook, truly appreciating great food, coffee, and of course wine.