Ashanta Wines

Ashanta Wines is the creation of Chenoa Ashton-Lewis, a fifth-generation Oakland native and third-generation winemaker, alongside cinematographer Will Basanta. Their winemaking journey began in October 2019 when, on short notice, they traveled from Los Angeles to Sonoma Mountain upon hearing that unsold grapes from Chenoa’s family vineyard were at risk of becoming bird fodder. With the help of family and friends, they harvested and crushed the grapes, creating an experimental Syrah and Pinot Noir co-ferment. This single barrel was stored in a tent for eight months on the family’s organic vineyard, which Chenoa’s grandparents had planted in the early 1970s. In 2020, during the quarantine, Chenoa and Will returned to Glen Ellen. While exploring the remains of a Pinot Noir vineyard destroyed in the 2017 Nuns Fire, they discovered new vines growing horizontally, buried under tall grass. Inspired, they carefully revived these vines, and to their surprise, by early summer, 160 vines that had appeared dead were bearing clusters of grapes. This experience deepened their fascination with the resilience of nature and led them to connect with neighbor Tony Coturri on Sonoma Mountain. For the 2020 harvest, Chenoa and Will produced their first commercial vintage at the historic Coturri Winery, introducing Ashanta Wines. Ashanta Wines follows zero-zero, traditional winemaking practices, producing a diverse range of bespoke wines, including experimental multi-fruit co-ferments, Pet-Nats, skin contact whites, field blends, and elegant California Reds. Their wines are terroir-driven expressions of Pachamama and the changing seasons, crafted without fining, filtration, or the addition of sulfur dioxide. They source their fruit from family-operated vineyards that practice organic and/or biodynamic farming and often handpick the vineyards themselves. In some cases, they even forage for wild fruit in both wilderness and urban areas. Currently, Ashanta Wines operates out of Sebastopol, CA, and Los Angeles, working with vineyards across California’s diverse landscape.