🍇 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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Retailers
Isa Wines Webshop: The most direct way to purchase their wines is from their own online store.
VINOVORE: A wine shop in Los Angeles that focuses on female winemakers and has stocked Isa Wines.
Ordinaire Wine: A natural wine shop in Oakland, California, that has carried Isa Wines.
Chambers Street Wines: A well-regarded wine shop in New York City known for its selection of natural and artisanal wines.
Coeur Wine Co.: This retailer and distributor has a producer profile for Isa Wines on their website and lists her wines.
Helen's Wines: A retailer in Los Angeles that has carried Isa Wines.