Kareen Wine: A Family Legacy Rooted in Armenian Heritage

Tucked away in the rolling vineyards of California’s Lodi region, Kareen Wine is a boutique, woman-owned, family-operated winery that weaves a rich tapestry of Armenian heritage into every bottle. Founded by the Nemet family under Nemet Vintners LLC, Kareen Wine began as a garage project in 2010 and released its first commercial vintage in 2016. Named after the ancient Western Armenian city of Kareen (now Erzurum, Turkey), the winery pays homage to the family’s ancestral roots, where wine was a cornerstone of cultural life. With four generations contributing to their craft, Kareen Wine specializes in low-intervention, single-vineyard wines sourced from sustainably grown and organic vineyards in Lodi, Clarksburg, and the Sierra Foothills. Their mission is to educate and inspire, bringing the ancient wine traditions of Armenia into the modern California wine scene while championing social justice and environmental restoration.

Led by founding partner Rose Nemet, Kareen Wine is passionate about community and hospitality, creating engaging experiences that blend SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) warmth with exceptional wines. Their portfolio, including standouts like the 2018 Viognier ($25–$30), 2016 Malbec ($30–$40), and 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon ($35–$45), showcases approachable yet intriguing flavors—think stone fruit and citrus in the Viognier, soft tannins in the Malbec, and red berry finesse in the Cabernet. With a small production of around 500–1,000 cases annually, their wines are crafted to reflect the terroir of Lodi’s unique delta-influenced soils