Mantra Wines

Mike Kuimelis Jr has a passion for winemaking and a knack for making award winning wines. His father, Mike Sr. – who immigrated from from Greece when he was 12 – and Mike’s stepmom, Lorene, started growing grapes in 1978. They have had their premium grapes turned into many award-winning wines by a host of noted winemakers including Mike Jr. who made his first barrels of wine in 1995. Mike Jr. Attended Saint Mary’s College, served in the Peace Corps from 1991 to 1994 and was assigned to work on agricultural projects in rural Guatemala. Upon his return he took an opportunity to help manage his parents’ vineyards in Healdsburg, Geyserville and Cloverdale, vineyards he had known since childhood. While assisting with the vineyards, Mike Jr. became more and more drawn to the art and science of winemaking and established Mantra Wines in 2000 with his wife Dez. It has been a family collaboration with Mike Jr. as the winemaker, forklift driver and sales team; Dez as the all around support crew, and Mike Sr. and Lorene as the grape growers. Mantra’s Cabernet and Merlot both recently won Best of Class and Gold medals at the California State Fair Wine Tasting Competition and Gold for their Cabernet at the Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition. In previous years, Wine and Spirits Magazine included their Old Vine Zinfandel Reserve as one of the “Year’s Best”. The Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine awarded their Syrah with 93 points. Noted wine critic Robert Parker Jr. has praised Mantra Wines with the following descriptions: These juicy emphasize loads of fruit, impressive purity, and beautiful texture…”

-Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate

“Hedonisitic, smoky, full-bodied, voluptuously textured flavors…”

-Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate

Mantra is dedicated to producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of their High elevation vineyard sites of Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys located in Healdsburg, Geyserville and Cloverdale. Many of their wines are produced from the best blocks of their mountain-top and hillside vineyards which are farmed to rigorous specifications by Mike Sr. to produce their ultra-premium wines. To experience these wines in person please visit their tasting room in Novato where they offer many choices from their three labels: Mantra, Mobius and Big Ridge.