Klinker Brick Winery

What Klinker Brick Winery does

Klinker Brick Winery is a family-owned wine producer founded in 2000 by fifth-generation Lodi grape growers Steve and Lori Felten, headquartered at 15887 N. Alpine Road in Lodi, California. The company produces an estate-focused portfolio anchored by Old Vine Zinfandel sourced from 15 to 24 distinct vineyard blocks of head-trained, dry-farmed, own-rooted vines aged 40 to 122 years, alongside heritage bottlings from century-old partner sites including the 1886 Bechthold Cinsault and 1907 Rauser Vineyard Carignane. Core technical capabilities include small-lot winemaking with oak aging, native yeast fermentation (Echoes Native Zinfandel led by Assistant Winemaker Brianna Yray), and full LODI RULES third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing compliance. The portfolio spans reds (Old Vine Zinfandel, Old Ghost reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Farrah Syrah, Brickmason and 1850° red blends, Marisa Vineyard single-vineyard Zinfandel, Alveo tier), whites (Albariño, Grenache Blanc, Alveo Sauvignon Blanc), rosé (Bricks & Roses Rosé), sparkling wines, and club-exclusive Mediterranean varietals.

The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and wholesale model. D2C channels include the company's own WordPress e-commerce storefront (no minimum purchase, complimentary ground shipping on 12+ bottle orders), a Lodi tasting room with $10-$20 flights, and a two-tier wine club — Foundry (red-only) and Arris (mixed red/white/rosé) — offering quarterly recurring shipments of 2-5 bottles at 25% member discount and 50% off shipping. Wholesale distribution is managed through four in-house regional sales managers covering the Midwest & Mid-Atlantic, Mountain West, California, and Southeast, supplemented by wine wholesalers such as RNDC Colorado's Grand Vin division. Customer segments include wine club members, tasting room visitors, online DTC shoppers, and B2B trade accounts across approximately 38 permitted US shipping states. The company is actively expanding its portfolio (Alveo sub-line 2022-2025), sales coverage (newest regional managers in January and September 2025), and experiential events (winemaker dinners, live music, regional Lodi festivals).

Name

Klinker Brick Winery

Legal name

Klinker Brick Winery

Website

https://klinkerbrickwinery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Klinker Brick Winery is a family-owned Lodi, California producer founded in 2000, specializing in estate Old Vine Zinfandel from 40-122 year old vineyards, plus Mediterranean varietals, sold via D2C e-commerce, a two-tier wine club, tasting room, and four-region US wholesale network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

Keywords

• Old Vine Zinfandel
• Estate wine production
• Wine club membership
• Winery tasting room
• California red wines

Headquarters

HQ city

Lodi

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-consumer wine sales (e-commerce and tasting room): Retail wine sales via own online storefront (klinkerbrickwinery.com) and on-site tasting room in Lodi, CA. Complimentary ground shipping on 12+ bottle purchases; half-off ground shipping on 6–11 bottle CA shipments. No minimum purchase required.
2. Wine club subscription (Foundry & Arris Clubs): Quarterly recurring shipments (January, April, July, October) of 2–5 bottles; no sign-up fee; one-year minimum (four consecutive shipments); members get 25% off all wine purchases and 50% off ground shipping on quarterly allocations. Two tiers: Foundry (red-only) and Arris (mixed red/white/rosé).
3. Tasting room flight revenue: $10–$20 per person tasting flights (Old Ghost pours $4 for members); complimentary with qualifying wine purchases or active club membership. Tasting time capped at 1 hour 15 minutes.
4. Experiential events and ticketed experiences: Ticketed events such as Wine Club Social | Evening with the Winemaker ($35, 21+) featuring library tasting flights, live music and wine purchases. Includes regional events like Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend and Lodi Wine Experience with discounted access for club members.
5. Wholesale and three-tier distribution: Distribution to specialty wholesale markets via regional sales managers across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Mountain West, California and Southeast, reaching on-premise and off-premise retail accounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Klinker Brick Winery is a family-owned estate winery in Lodi, California that produces small-lot, sustainably grown wines from century-old, own-rooted, head-trained, dry-farmed vineyards. Its portfolio centers on Old Vine Zinfandel (including the limited Old Ghost reserve) alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Albariño, Grenache Blanc, Rosé, and other Mediterranean varietals, sold primarily direct-to-consumer via its e-commerce storefront, two-tier wine club (Foundry and Arris), and on-site tasting room, with supplemental wholesale distribution through regional sales managers and wholesalers.

Product overview

Klinker Brick Winery is a single-organization wine producer (not a multi-product software platform) with a portfolio organized into several distinct tiers and lines. The flagship offerings include the signature red wines — Old Vine Zinfandel, Old Ghost Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Farrah Syrah — and the white and rosé wines — Albariño, Grenache Blanc (including the single-vineyard Under the Sea), and Bricks & Roses Rosé. Specialty bottlings include the Brickmason Red Blend and 1850° Red Blend, the single-vineyard Marisa Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, and the native-fermentation Echoes Native Zinfandel program. The newer Alveo sub-line (Alveo Cabernet Sauvignon, Alveo Sauvignon Blanc, Alveo Zinfandel) represents a recent expansion tier. Heritage partnerships add depth with the Bechthold Cinsault (1886) and Rauser Vineyard Carignane (1907). Distribution channels include direct-to-consumer e-commerce, the Arris Club and Foundry Club wine club memberships (quarterly shipments), and on-premise tasting room experiences in Lodi. All estate vineyards are certified under the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arris Club: Premier mixed-wine wine club membership offering customizable shipments of red, white, and seasonal rosé wines, plus exclusive member benefits and discounts.
• Foundry Club
• Alveo

Products and services

• Old Vine Zinfandel Flagship red wine made from old vines (40-122 years old) in Lodi's sandy loam soils; concentrated blackberry, cherry, and spice across a broad, structured palate. The signature wine and primary entry point for the brand.
• Old Ghost Zinfandel Limited, cellar-select bottling sourced from the oldest and most expressive Zinfandel blocks, yielding under 1 ton per acre. Shaped by Tule Fog conditions and made from century-old head-trained, dry-farmed vines for intensely concentrated fruit.
• Cabernet Sauvignon Estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon with cassis, blueberry, mocha, and well-integrated oak, built for both structure and finesse. Consistently scores 90+ points from Wine Enthusiast.
• Petite Sirah Bold, inky, and powerful red wine packed with dark fruit, cocoa, and notes of graphite. Awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage).
• Farrah Syrah Vineyard-driven Syrah balancing savory spice with lush dark berry fruit.
• Brickmason Red Blend A smooth, approachable blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet — plush and easy-drinking. Awarded Wine Enthusiast Best Buy (90 points, 2021 vintage).
• 1850° Red Blend Named for the temperature at which bricks are fired, this wine is intense, structured, and expressive. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage).
• Marisa Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel Single-vineyard precision with lifted aromatics and old-vine depth. Awarded 90-91 points by Wine Enthusiast across 2021 and 2022 vintages.
• Echoes Native Zinfandel A native yeast fermentation Zinfandel representing Klinker Brick's native fermentation project led by Assistant Winemaker Brianna Yray. Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast (2023 vintage).
• Albariño Bright, zippy, and floral Iberian-inspired white bursting with citrus, white peach, and mineral notes. Consistently one of the highest-rated domestic Albariños in California, with multiple Wine Enthusiast Best Buy designations (92-93 points, 2023 and 2024 vintages).
• Grenache Blanc Rich and textural, yet fresh and vibrant. Green apple, melon, and citrus blossom flow across a creamy palate with balanced acidity and subtle spice. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast (2024 vintage, Best Buy).
• Under the Sea Grenache Blanc Single-vineyard Grenache Blanc sourced from the Ripken Family's "Under the Sea" vineyard in Lodi; certified sustainable. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast (2023 vintage, Best Buy).
• Bricks & Roses Rosé Crafted in a dry, Provençal style from Grenache, Syrah, Carignane, and Mourvèdre. Pale in hue and layered with wild strawberry, rose petal, and watermelon. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast (2023 vintage, Best Buy).
• Rauser Vineyard Carignane Heritage Carignane sourced from the Rauser Vineyard, planted in 1907, produced under Steve Felten's oversight. Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast (2020 vintage).
• Bechthold Cinsault Heritage red wine sourced from the centenarian Bechthold Cinsault vineyard planted in 1886 — one of the oldest Cinsault vineyards in the world.
• Sparkling Albariño Sparkling rendition of Klinker Brick's Albariño, part of the winery's sparkling wine line expansion. Awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage).
• Sparkling Bricks & Roses Rosé Sparkling rendition of Klinker Brick's Bricks & Roses Rosé, part of the sparkling wine line. Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage).
• Alveo Cabernet Sauvignon Part of the new Alveo sub-line introduced by Klinker Brick Winery, expanding the portfolio.
• Alveo Sauvignon Blanc White wine expression in the new Alveo sub-line introduced by Klinker Brick Winery.
• Alveo Zinfandel Zinfandel expression in the new Alveo sub-line introduced by Klinker Brick Winery.
• Arris Club Premier mixed-wine wine club membership offering quarterly customizable shipments (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct) of 2-5 bottles of red, white, and seasonal rosé wines, plus exclusive member benefits, 25% off all wine purchases, 50% off ground shipping on allocations, complimentary tastings, and member-only events. No sign-up fee; one-year minimum (four consecutive shipments).
• Foundry Club Exclusive red-only wine club membership focused on bold varietals such as Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah from Lodi's old vines. Quarterly red-only shipments with exclusive library access, 25% off all wine purchases, complimentary tastings, and member-only events. No sign-up fee; one-year minimum (four consecutive shipments).
• Tasting Room Experience On-site tasting experience at Klinker Brick Winery's Lodi estate (15887 N. Alpine Road), offering tasting flights priced $10-$20 per person, complimentary flights for active club members, and South Patio (family-friendly) and 21+ North Courtyard seating. Includes access to live music nights, themed food nights, wine club pickup parties, and trivia.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wine Enthusiast 94-point ratings for multiple wines (2021 Old Vine Zinfandel, 2021 Sparkling Albariño, 2021 Dolcetto)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Domo Wine ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDomo Wine Services, based in Clements, CA, is Klinker Brick Winery's fulfillment center; wines are shipped from there via UPS and FedEx (with refrigeration services as needed). Shipping charges are directly tied to Domo Wine Services' fulfillment center rates. The partnership covers all direct-to-consumer wine shipments nationally (excluding restricted states).
• Bechthold Vineyard (Cinsault, planted 1886)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlinker Brick sources fruit from the Bechthold Cinsault vineyard, planted in 1886 — one of the world's oldest Cinsault vineyards. Klinker Brick is part of regional efforts to 'Save the Old Vines' and rehabilitate this historic block, supporting its preservation as a cherished Lodi asset.
• Rauser Vineyard (Carignane, planted 1907)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlinker Brick sources centenarian Carignane from the Rauser Vineyard, planted in 1907. Klinker Brick actively participates in rehabilitating this historic block, including adding drip irrigation systems to support vine health. The Rauser Carignane is produced under Steve Felten's oversight as a standout wine in the portfolio.
• Ripken Family ('Under the Sea' Grenache Blanc)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVineyard partnership with the Ripken Family providing Grenache Blanc fruit used for the 'Under the Sea' Grenache Blanc bottling — Wine Enthusiast Best Buy (92 pts, 2023 vintage).
• Mokelumne Glen VineyardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVineyard partnership supplying eclectic German varieties including Rieslaner, Gewürztraminer and Weissburgunder.
• LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing ProgramflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlinker Brick is a full participant in the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing program — California's first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing system formalized in 2005, with 100+ best practices across soil, water, ecosystem, pest, business, and labor management and independent annual audits. The LODI RULES seal is displayed on bottle labels.
• RNDC Colorado (Grand Vin division)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale distribution partnership with RNDC Colorado's Grand Vin division in Boulder, Colorado. Corey Brown worked at RNDC Colorado for seven years (2013–2020) building the Klinker Brick brand in the Boulder market before joining Klinker Brick directly as Mountain Regional Sales Manager in January 2020.
• Lodi Winegrape CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-body partnership; Klinker Brick actively participates in regional efforts including 'Save the Old Vines'. California Sales Manager Jaclyn Stokes Iniguez serves as Vice Chair of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, supporting the region's continued growth and recognition.
• Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend / Lodi Wine ExperiencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKlinker Brick participates in major regional events including the Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend and the Lodi Wine Experience. Wine Club members (Foundry and Arris) receive discounted access to these events.
• Society of Wine Educators / Wine Scholar GuildminorOthersIndustry-credential relationship: Midwest & Mid-Atlantic Regional Sales Manager Jessica Starry holds the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) credential from the Society of Wine Educators and is a Certified Master of Champagne through the Wine Scholar Guild.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards: Multi-generational Lodi family winery with estate vineyards, tasting room, wine club, and DTC e-commerce. Highly comparable in family-ownership structure, Lodi provenance, generational stewardship, and hybrid DTC/wholesale GTM motion.
• Ironstone Vineyards: Sierra Foothills/California family winery with strong DTC tasting room, events programming, and broad varietal range including Zinfandel. Comparable in family ownership, experiential tasting room model, and event-driven consumer acquisition.
• Ravenswood Winery: Iconic Old Vine Zinfandel brand with broad national distribution, comparable mass-premium price positioning, and similar Zinfandel-led portfolio structure. Now part of Constellation Brands, providing a useful benchmark at scaled distribution.
• Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage-focused California winery built around old-vine Zinfandel and field-blend vineyards. Direct comparable in old-vine ethos, single-vineyard reserve bottlings, and DTC-plus-trade sales model targeting collectors and wine enthusiasts.
• Seghesio Family Vineyards: Long-established Old Vine Zinfandel producer in Sonoma County with parallel wine club, tasting room, and wholesale distribution architecture. Comparable in heritage positioning, Zinfandel focus, and DTC subscription model.
• Turley Wine Cellars: Direct competitor specializing in Old Vine Zinfandel and other heritage California varietals from century-old vineyards. Most comparable peer in product category, target consumer (premium wine enthusiasts), and single-vineyard reserve approach; differentiated by Napa Valley positioning vs. Klinker Brick's Lodi base.
• Michael David Winery: Lodi-based family winery producing Zinfandel-led portfolio with tasting room and DTC. Joseph Smith, Klinker Brick's winemaker, served as cellar master here — a direct talent and provenance link. Most directly comparable Lodi peer.
• McManis Family Vineyards: Lodi-based family-owned winery producing estate-grown Zinfandel and Mediterranean varietals with national wholesale distribution. Comparable in family operation, Lodi estate, broad varietal portfolio, and trade-channel reach.

Regional players

• St. Amant Winery: Lodi-area small-lot producer specializing in Old Vine Zinfandel and Italian varieties, with tasting room and limited distribution. Direct local peer in Lodi AVA with parallel old-vine, Mediterranean-varietal positioning and similar operational scale.
• Robert Hall Winery: California-based wine producer with a similar DTC-plus-trade model and tasting room experience focus, though based in Paso Robles rather than Lodi. Comparable in mid-sized family-style operation, wine club subscription model, and direct-to-consumer emphasis.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/klinkerBrick
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/klinker-brick-winery-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Klinker Brick Winery