The Only Tasting Room in Freestone's Historic District Just Opened to the Public

Black Kite Cellars owners Tom and Rebecca Green Birdsall are pleased to announce the opening of their new tasting room, Jasper House, located in the coastal village of Freestone, California. Black Kite Cellars is a family-owned boutique producer of site-specific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, primarily sourced from Sonoma County’s ocean-kissed, coastal appellations. As of today, they are the only wine producer with a tasting room in the Freestone Historic District, seven miles from the Pacific Ocean’s coastline.

“Jasper House is such a special place to us and we’re excited to share it with our members and guests,” said owner Tom Birdsall. His wife and co-owner, Rebecca Green Birdsall, adding, “We’re adventurers at heart, and whether abroad or at home, we’re always seeking unique and inviting experiences. We've designed Jasper House and the tasting experience to reflect this adventurous spirit. Visitors will discover the natural beauty of Freestone and the complex flavors of its terroir in an atmosphere complemented by the breezy, bohemian, laid-back vibe of the West Sonoma Coast.”

Jasper House, nestled between Bodega Bay and Sebastopol, is an exciting new venture for the Birdsalls, and years in the making. Black Kite Cellars began in 2003 in the vineyards of Mendocino County's Anderson Valley. The brand began as a collaboration between the Birdsalls and Rebecca’s parents, Donald and Maureen Green. Although Anderson Valley provided the foundation for exceptional Pinot Noirs, the Birdsall family continued to seek and secure exclusive vineyard sourcing contracts with some of the most distinct and sought-after vineyard blocks, primarily along Sonoma County’s newest West Sonoma Coast appellation. This exploration effort enabled them to add Chardonnays to their portfolio, enlarging their overall footprint and establishing themselves as a leading producer from the area. The proximity to the coast and the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean make the West Sonoma Coast appellation one of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producing regions in the world. As the winery grew and the family sought a place to host members and visitors, it was only natural that Black Kite Cellars would call West Sonoma Coast their new home. With the planting of their new estate vineyard in 2015 in Freestone, the Birdsalls established Jasper Freestone Vineyard, and they are now proud to introduce visitors to their new tasting room, Jasper House.

Two veteran wine country designers, architect Steve vonRaesfeld and Napa Valley interior designer Julie Hawkins, worked seamlessly to create a space that captures the exploratory spirit of Black Kite Cellars and the bohemian personality of Freestone. Julie Hawkins started her eponymous Hawkins Interiors after a decade of leading the interiors department for renowned architect Howard Backen's architectural firm. Steve vonRaesfeld brings a wealth of expertise in winery architecture to the Jasper House project. Prior to founding vR|a Architects, vonRaesfeld worked as a project architect in real estate development before becoming the staff architect for a large international wine company. In this capacity he developed wineries and tasting rooms throughout California, Oregon, Argentina, Chile, France and Italy.

Tasting experiences at Black Kite Cellars’ Jasper House include wines from the estate Jasper Freestone Vineyard as well as other Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley wines. Guests can settle in for a relaxing tasting in one of three distinct tasting salons: the Living Room where the exposed beam ceilings and toasty fireplace draw visitors in, the Dining Room full of sunlight and a beautiful Oregonian Walnut table centerpiece, or the Loft enclave with its alluring coziness offering a bit more seclusion. Tastings will also be available this summer on the outdoor patio.

As stewards of the land and history enthusiasts, the Birdsalls chose the name Jasper House as a nod to Jasper O’Farrell, an Irish immigrant and California pioneer who owned the land in the mid-to-late 1800s. O’Farrell made his way to America in 1843 by way of South America. He’d studied civil engineering and surveying in Ireland and by the time he reached San Francisco, his skills were in high demand for the growing West Coast city. He designed the city’s grand promenade (today’s bustling Market Street) and helped develop many of the city’s most important thoroughfares including Market, Lombard, and Pine streets. To honor his contribution, O’Farrell Street was named after him. He surveyed extensively in the Bay Area, including much of Marin and Sonoma counties, and eventually moved to Sonoma. By 1849, O’Farrell was considered Sonoma County’s wealthiest citizen and one of the most significant landowners, amassing more than 40,000 acres. He established his family estate in Freestone where Jasper House sits today, which was originally inhabited by the Coast Miwok in the 1700s. When he entered politics and was elected as a California state senator from Freestone in 1858, he helped create visibility for the small coastal town reliant on an economy of lumber mills and a sandstone quarry. For 21 years, O’Farrell lived in Freestone, raising his family and contributing to the coastal community. His gravesite is located just a few miles from Jasper House.

Black Kite Cellars’ Jasper House is located at 12747 El Camino Bodega in Freestone. Jasper House wine tastings include a signature tasting flight consisting of a reserve tasting of Black Kite Cellars’ currently released wines from the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley appellations, along with selected library wines from the cellar. More tasting experiences will be offered in the coming months. Jasper House is open seven days a week, from 10am–5pm. Tasting appointments may be made in advance or same-day. With a case production of less than 3,000 annually, Black Kite Cellars’ wines are highly sought-after. Despite their cult-like following, the wines remain approachable and available for discerning adventurers. Joining Black Kite Cellars’ wine club includes exclusive early access and invite-only offers to purchase highly allocated wines, as well as highly coveted invitations to member-only events. For more information, to book a tasting experience, and to join Black Kite Cellars’ wine club, please visit BlackKiteCellars.com.