How We Got Started

Baywood Cellars exemplifies the Cotta family's three-quarter century commitment to quality and success. Founded by Joe Cotta Sr. in 1925, Cotta Properties began their legacy of growing wine grapes and other agricultural commodities. In 1986, grandsons John (winemaker) and James (vineyard manager) Cotta started producing wine under their Las Viñas label which immediately won awards in all of the top national and international competitions, including the Lodi-Woodbridge “Best of Region” for an unprecedented three years in a row at the California State Fair Wine Competition.

Awards

In pursuit of higher quality and perfection, John and James started vinifying grapes from the family's own Central Coast vineyards under the "Vineyard Select" Baywood label and the highest quality Methode Champenoise sparkling wines under the Napa Valley Las Viñas label. Both labels immediately won awards in major wine competition circuits.

John and James consider the Central Coast to be among the finest, if not the finest growing region. Inspired by the region’s potential, John has focused his wine making talents and efforts on producing only ultra-premium wines from Monterey County and the Central Coast.

Winemaking

President and wine maker, John Cotta has over 20 years experience producing wine in all of California's major viticulture regions. His vast knowledge, combined with the most up-to-date wine-making technology available, gives Baywood Cellars the bottling capacity of up to 150 bottles per minute. With temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and French and American oak cooperage, Baywood can produce and store more than 300,000 cases annually. Using state-of-the-art equipment and time-tested old-world techniques, John has been able to produce wines rated among the finest in the world.

The Family

John and James Cotta, with the help of their father Joe Cotta Jr., farm over 1,000 acres of Varietal wine grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Symphony and the traditional Douro region Port varieties. The family commitment to viticulture spans over three generations and has consistently provided high quality crops year after year.