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In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Dan Kosta, Founder & Owner of Convene By Dan Kosta.

Dan Kosta has over 20 years of experience in the Sonoma County wine industry, very well known as a premium pinot noir and chardonnay producer.

A native of Sonoma wine country, Dan’s exposure to wine began in childhood, inspired by his father, who owned a wine shop and had a passion for vino. His lifelong love of food and wine guided him to a career in the restaurant industry, where he applied skills developed early on to excel in roles across a series of world-class restaurants. Dan progressed from back waiter to waiter, bartender, maître d’, operations manager, and ultimately wine director at the renowned John Ash & Company in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. It was there, in 1997, that Dan and his business partner, Michael Browne, founded Kosta Browne Winery. As a founder, Dan led marketing programs, managed sales, and oversaw a nationwide distribution network.

After co-founding Kosta Browne with Michael Browne in 1997, Kosta’s name became synonymous with Pinot Noir as he traveled the world sharing his award-winning wines. His exploration of the grape continued with AldenAlli, which he founded in 2013 as a collaboration with celebrity Chef Emeril and his wife Alden Lagasse.

Dan's accomplishments and contributions to the American wine industry are numerous. From industry volunteerism to children's advocacy philanthropy, Dan continues to leverage his network for giving back to community through Convene. Some of Dan's past and ongoing accomplishments:

• Chairman, 2016 Sonoma County Wine Auction
• Board member, Sonoma County Vintners Association
• Board member, Emeril Lagasse Foundation
• Board member, Sonoma County Harvest Fair
• Trustee, Destin Charity Wine Auction
• Board member, Family Winemakers of California
• Panelist, multiple industry trade shows and symposiums
• Wine judge, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, San Francisco Chronicle, Citrus Fair, San Francisco Wine Competition, among many others.

About Convene: Founded August 2022

Founded by Dan Kosta and crafted in partnership with winemaker Shane Finley, Convene embodies over fifteen years of collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence. Focused on creating exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blends from cool-climate regions, Convene sources its fruit from California’s most renowned winegrowing regions, from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Santa Lucia Highlands AVAs.

Winemaker Shane Finley, recognized for his global expertise and meticulous craftsmanship, has played an integral role in Convene’s journey. With experience spanning Australia’s Barossa Valley, France’s Northern Rhône, and California’s Russian River Valley, Shane brings a world of skill to the table. His partnership with Dan Kosta dates back to the early days of Kosta Browne.

**Convenes tasting room is located within Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg

About DK Wine Group:

DK Wine Group, launched in 2021 and founded by renowned vintner Dan Kosta, serves as the parent company for several wine labels, including Convene and DK Grail.

Dan also has a wine brand called Admire, that focuses on Pinot Noir.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!