Meet Cary Quintana of Cary Q Wines
Every sip of wine has a story, and few are as compelling as that of Cary Quintana, the Cuban-American winemaker behind Cary Q Wines. A self-taught vintner with a passion for minimal intervention winemaking, Cary’s journey from Miami’s corporate world to Northern California’s vineyards is a testament to perseverance, intuition, and a deep appreciation for terroir.
Meet Cary Quintana
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Cary Quintana was far from the rolling vineyards of California in her early years. With a background in advertising and marketing, she spent years in the corporate world before taking a bold leap into the wine industry. Her first venture was a boutique wine shop in Miami that opened in 2005 with the goal of showcasing small-production, esoteric wines that weren’t available in big-box retailers. But when the 2008 financial crisis hit, Cary was forced to close her shop and return to the corporate world—though her love for wine never wavered.
In 2013, she made a life-changing decision: she moved to Northern California with no clear plan but a deep desire to immerse herself in wine. What started as an opportunity to work a harvest in Berkeley’s Gilman District quickly became a full-fledged calling. Cary learned winemaking hands-on, working alongside established vintners and drawing inspiration from the region’s rich winemaking traditions.
By 2014, she was sourcing her own fruit, launching her first wines, and crafting a winemaking philosophy that would define Cary Q Wines: low-intervention, organically and sustainably farmed fruit, and an unwavering commitment to expressing the true character of varietals and terroir.
Cary Q Wines
Cary Q Wines is not just another boutique wine label, it is an extension of Cary’s passion, dedication, and minimalist winemaking philosophy. Since its founding in 2016, Cary Q Wines has gained recognition for its focus on organic and sustainably farmed vineyards, handcrafted production methods, and its commitment to letting the fruit speak for itself.
Working with some of the most esteemed growers in California, such as Phil Coturri and Ann Kraemer, Cary sources high-quality fruit that requires little intervention. “I want my wines to taste like where they were grown,” she says. “Each vintage, vineyard, and varietal tells a different story, and my job is simply to guide it along without interference.”
Her portfolio is anchored by Grenache, a grape she fell in love with during her wine shop days, but has expanded to include Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, and the under appreciated Graciano. Each wine is crafted with native fermentations, hand harvesting and sorting, and aging in neutral vessels such as stainless steel, concrete, and neutral French oak puncheons. Some of her wines even get the old-world foot-treading treatment.
A Community-Driven Winemaker with an Eye on the Future
Cary Quintana isn’t just making wine, she’s building a community. As a Hispanic woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she champions diversity, small producers, and sustainable farming practices. She also understands the importance of direct-to-consumer relationships, engaging wine lovers through social media, virtual tastings, and intimate storytelling.
Even with the challenges of COVID-19 and shifting market trends, Cary remained optimistic. Her recent move to a larger production space in Santa Rosa’s Punchdown Cellars has given her more room to grow, experiment, and expand her lineup. While Grenache remains the heart of Cary Q Wines, she continues to seek out unique varietals and vineyards that align with her philosophy of purity, vibrancy, and authenticity.
Cary Quintana’s story is proof that passion, persistence, and a willingness to take risks can lead to something truly extraordinary. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Rhône varietals or a newcomer looking for something fresh and exciting, Cary Q Wines offers a deliciously unique perspective on California winemaking, one bottle at a time.
