Australian native James Ewart heads the winemaking team at Diora, named for the golden hills of the Santa Lucia Mountains that frame the fourth-generation family-owned San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey, California.
James’ tenure at Diora began 20 years ago when he left Australian wine country to follow his intrigue with the San Bernabe Vineyard. Acclaimed for its outstanding viticultural diversity, variances in terroir within the vineyard allow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones to thrive and develop unique expressions.
James grew up making wine by his father’s side in the Adelaide Hills, south of the Barossa Valley. He pursued his formal studies at Adelaide University and is one of very few winemakers to complete a graduate degree in viticulture, following an undergraduate degree in geology and chemistry. During university breaks, he worked at Mountadam Vineyards in Eden Valley, known for pioneering Chardonnay in Australia. Upon graduation, he worked as a viticulturist in Riverland, an inland region of Australia before leaving for California.
James has a deep understanding of soils—an invaluable knowledge bank that is vital to achieving the richness and vibrancy for which Diora wines are known. Sustainable practices are also paramount to James’ winemaking. His philosophy is to enrich, not change, what the land expresses, respecting the balance and harmony that come when the right grape is planted in the right place.