🍇 Isa Wines – Natural Wine Craft from the San Francisco Bay Area

Founder & Vision
Isa Wines is the passion project of Isabella Morano, a certified sommelier and natural wine advocate based in San Francisco. Inspired by early travels to Italy, Isabella refined her wine artistry through roles at top Bay Area institutions like St. Vincent, Arlequin Wine Merchant, NOPA, and Absinthe Brasserie & Bar. She deepened her skills with harvest work at iconic natural wine producers such as Martha Stoumen, Elisabetta Foradori, Domaine Mosse, and Bedrock Wine Co.

📍 Region & Philosophy

Isa Wines sources grapes from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Mendocino, working exclusively with organic and regenerative vineyards. Isabella emphasizes strong relationships with growers and donates a portion of proceeds to BIPOC-led organizations in food and fermentation.

🥂 Winemaking Approach

  • Grapes come from organic, low-intervention vineyards like Ascona Vineyard, located at 2,400 ft with sandstone soils.

  • Wines are made using native yeasts, with minimal sulfur (only at bottling), and fermented in stainless steel and neutral oak.

  • Hands-off, small-batch production defines her style: elegant, expressive, and honest.

🍾 Wines & Cuvées

  • "You’re a Dream" – Light skin-contact Sauvignon Blanc. Foot-tread, 22-hour maceration, bright and textured. ~55 cases made.

  • "Claire Annelise" – Sauvignon Blanc from the Talmage Bench in Mendocino. Flinty, tropical, and lightly silky.

  • "Don’t Quit Your Day Job" – A juicy red blend (mostly Mataro with Grenache/Syrah), whole-cluster fermented. ~125 cases.

  • "Happy Wife, Happy Life" – A white Merlot vinified with skin contact. Dry, layered, and vibrant.

  • Merlot from Massa Vineyard – Structured, savory, and balanced; whole-cluster fermented and aged in neutral barrels.

🌱 Ethics & Community

Isa Wines is grounded in a strong sense of ethics and equity, prioritizing sustainable farming, fair labor, and social impact. Isabella collaborates with a diverse community of creatives, including visual artist Pablo Andrés Cristi and designer Claire Cerdá, creating wines that are as visually thoughtful as they are delicious.

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Where to Find Isa Wines (California)

Direct from Isa Wines & Online Stockists (US)

Isa Wines Official Website & Shop The best place to buy directly from the producer when wines are available. Their "Stockist" page also lists many of the locations below.
Sublime Wine (EU - Germany based) This retailer mentions "Cantina La Bacheta Isa," which might be a different "Isa" or a specific collaboration. *Always confirm if it's the California Isa Wines.*
Wine-Searcher.com **Your primary resource for global availability.** Search for "Isa Wines California" to find various merchants currently listing their wines and compare prices. This is the most dynamic way to track stock.

US Retailers (California & Beyond - As listed on their site)

Isa Wines has an extensive network of stockists, especially in California. Here are some examples based on their official "Stockist" page. **Always check their site for the most current and complete list.**

  • **San Francisco Bay Area (CA):**
    • Ordinaire Wine (Oakland)
    • Oakland Yard (Oakland)
    • Daytrip (Oakland)
    • Vintage Berkeley Elmwood (Berkeley)
    • Molti Amici (San Francisco)
    • Valley (San Francisco)
    • El Prado (San Francisco)
    • Friends and Family (Oakland)
  • **Los Angeles Area (CA):**
    • Helen's Wines (various locations)
    • Ruby Fruit
    • Sqirl
  • **Other California Locations:**
    • Chez Noir (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
    • Elroy's Fine Foods (Palo Alto)
  • **Australia (via ISWine Fine Wines Distributor):**
    • ISWine Fine Wines (Importer/Distributor, Australia) - They supply many restaurants and retailers in Australia. Check their website for specific stockists in Sydney, Melbourne, etc. (e.g., Victoria Park Cellars, Southend Hotel Maroubra, Annandale Cellars, Elizabeth Bay Cellars, Corkscrew Cellars).
    • Specific Australian venues that have stocked Isa Wines via ISWine include: Bar Franco, Bacari, Van Expresso, Zinc Potts Point, Quay Restaurant, Bennelong Restaurant, 6 Head, Cottage Point Inn, Rustica Newcastle, Ateś Blackheath, Bannisters Port Stephens, Bells at Killcare, Kazan Dining, Lotus Summer Hill, Osteria Fiume, The Spanish Fly, Love Fish Barangaroo, Naturally Sauced.

General Tips for Finding Isa Wines:

**Natural & Californian Wine Focus:** Isa Wines falls firmly within the natural wine movement, often highlighting indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfur, and unique expressions. Look for wine shops and bars that specialize in natural, low-intervention, and Californian artisanal wines.
**Check Their Official "Stockist" Page:** The most reliable and up-to-date list of where to find Isa Wines will always be on their own website: drinkisawines.com/stockist.
**Limited Production:** As a small, artisanal producer, Isa Wines often has limited releases, and specific vintages or cuvées may sell out quickly. Contacting the listed retailers directly is advisable to confirm current stock.
**Local Wine Bars & Restaurants:** Many natural wine producers have strong relationships with local wine bars and restaurants that prioritize unique and smaller-batch wines. If you're in a major city, particularly in California, check the wine lists of such establishments.