(Wines&Vines) - When you begin with a property that has had vines planted on it since the Gold Rush as well as a large winery and acres of estate vines, you have the makings of something special.

So thought Christian Pillsbury, a former sales executive with Coravin, when he stumbled upon Eden Rift Vineyards winery in San Benito County in 2016.

“It was serendipity,” said Pillsbury, a San Francisco native with more than 15 years of global wine sales experience that includes being head of the luxury wine and spirits business DFS Group’s international operations. “I had heard of Cienega Valley, but I wasn’t even sure where it was, exactly. I certainly didn’t know anything about this particular property.”