Our Story
Inspired Commitment
Brave & Maiden takes its name from a piece of local folklore tied to nearby Nojoqui Falls. First recorded in the early 1900s, the “Legend of Nojoqui” tells of two lovers, bound by devotion yet divided by circumstance, who chose sacrifice over separation. A tale of forbidden love and unyielding commitment, it echoes the timeless tragedies of Romeo & Juliet and West Side Story.
It is from this story of devotion that we draw our inspiration: crafting the most delicious wines our estate vineyard can offer—and sharing them with a welcome as generous as the land itself.
Our First Vintage
From the 2011 vintage, Brave & Maiden Estate released its inaugural wines, realizing the vision of business partners Rizal Risjad and Jason Djang: crafting exceptional estate-grown wines in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country. Every bottle is produced from a single vineyard and reflects the care, ambition, and philosophy that define our estate today.
Rooted in Responsibility
We count ourselves fortunate to be stewards of our corner of the valley and work hard to leave it better than we found it. To that end, we’re proud to maintain the rigorous third-party Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified designation for our estate—a standard that prioritizes the wellbeing of our crews alongside the long-term health of the land.
We also maintain a strictly herbicide-free vineyard, regenerating soil health through annual cover crops and promoting natural predators and biodiversity with owl boxes, raptor habitats, natural bee hives, and native plants. On-site weather data informs precise, deficit irrigation, significantly reducing our water footprint while increasing the quality of our fruit.
Less is More
In the cellar, we put our low-intervention winemaking philosophy into action. Or, more often, nonaction. Every cluster of grapes is estate grown, hand-harvested, and gently processed in our solar-powered production facility. By forgoing the use of enzymes, tannins, or color additives, we ensure that every bottle remains a pure, site-specific expression of our land—crafted with the same integrity we bring to the vineyard.
Our portfolio includes limited productions of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc—and a particular focus on producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
Harmony, by Design
Designed by renowned wine industry firm Backen & Backen Architecture, Brave & Maiden Estate was created to harmonize with its surroundings—an elegant balance of modern refinement and natural beauty. With warm wood, stone, and glass, the estate reflects the textures of the estate and Santa Ynez Valley itself. Every detail, from the sweeping rooflines to the intimate interior spaces, was imagined to elevate the experience of wine while keeping the focus on connection: to the land, to the wine, and to one another.
JOIN THE STORY
Become a Member of Brave & Maiden and join our continuing story and community. Members enjoy a direct connection to the vineyard, exclusive first access to limited-release wines and unique, year-round privileges to experience the estate.