We’re often asked what the background of Twisted Oak is, to which we invariably reply, “The Sierra Nevada, of course!” If we are pressed further, we are forced to admit that Twisted Oak Winery is the culmination of a delusion, er, vision by Jeff and Mary Stai. The vision was of a terroir based winery making superior, hand crafted, yummy wines, and then having more Twisted fun than anyone in the industry selling them.

Jeff and Mary found 120 acres just outside Murphys in the Sierra Foothills at nearly 2000 feet elevation. It is there that they planted 10 acres of vineyards in Tempranillo, Grenache, Graciano, and Garnacha to take advantage of the continental Mediterranean soil types and climate. It is on top of this property, with an amazing view of the Sierras, where the state-of-the-art, no-pumpover, four-level gravity flow winery was built. When completed in 2004 it included open tank, stainless steel fermenters along with our own 300-foot barrel cave. This is all under the watchful eye of a 350 year old California Blue Oak tree that not only is our namesake, but also adorns every Twisted Oak bottle.

Jeff and Mary work closely with winemaker Scott Klann in crafting the Twisted Oak wines. Scott has been in the wine making business over 15 years. Scott’s knowledge of what works best is unmatched in the area (it doesn’t hurt that he was raised in Murphys.) Scott’s experience and personal relationships with the growers in Calaveras County allows Twisted Oak Winery to purchase the best fruit from these outstanding vineyards to complement our estate grape programs. Whatever the formula Jeff, Mary and Scott, have devised for Twisted Oak, it has been validated by the hundreds of consumers that buy us out of wine each and every year. Twisted Oak Winery has also received accolades by publications and competitions which have graced us with many scores of 90 or above. We think the Wine Enthusiast put it best “The gang at Twisted Oak Winery are taking winemaking in this area to the next level…” Cheers! And always, keep it Twisted! Twisted Oak Winery!