Desparada is the chronicle of winemaker
Vailia From’s twists, turns and epiphanies.

Vailia's Compass

Vailia From

Owner + Winemaker

Call me a conduit for the traveler’s spirit, and winemaking is my outlet. It’s a thread I’ve been pulling for two-plus decades, one I’ve followed across borders, oceans, and silent mountains, delving into every vinous niche along the way. Studying every part of the process and pursuing the creativity evoked by romps through far-flung locales. That thread drew me back to the Central Coast’s gold-spun hills. And to Desparada. Here, I’m indulging my every winemaking whim and inclination. Because I’m driven not just by the cultivation of fiercely distinct wines, but of the human spirit.

Ethos

We talk about a sense of place, terroir, community... year by year trying to be more aware of taking care of our lands and environment. Stretching to make our circle smaller in regards to impact and sourcing, raw materials and our planet, regenerative farming and attention to resources while widening the net and trying to connect, through wine, on a much larger scale.

We aim to source from organic, biodynamic, and sustainably-focused vineyards whenever possible, and use low intervention methods in our winemaking.