Bedrock Wine Co.
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Country of Origin: USA
Location: Sonoma Valley
People: Morgan Twain-Peterson & Chris Cottrell, Owners & Winemakers
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
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Founded in 2007 by Morgan Twain-Peterson MW, Bedrock Wine Co. is built on a simple but profound mission: to preserve and champion California’s historic vineyards. Working initially out of a 550-square-foot former chicken coop, Morgan set out to create soulful wines that honor the vineyard and the year — an ethos that remains at the heart of Bedrock today.
Morgan’s love of wine runs deep. As the son of Joel Peterson—founder of Ravenswood and Once & Future—he was introduced early to the world of vines and fermentation. By age five, Morgan was making his own Pinot Noir, experimenting with whole-cluster fermentation and oak regimes inspired by Burgundy’s greats. Vino Bambino Pinot Noir, as the wine came to be known, was made from 1986 to 2001 and featured on the wine lists of Craft, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Hill (which featured the original 1986), Delmonico’s, Aureole, and Mesa Grill.
While at Vassar and Columbia, Morgan worked as a wine buyer and salesperson for Arlington Wines and Liquors in Poughkeepsie, and Chelsea Wine Vault and Pet Wines in Manhattan. After his studies, he returned to Sonoma, driven by a passion for California’s old vine plantings—living relics from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these historic and ancient vineyards are mosaics of Mediterranean varieties, producing spicy, deeply complex wines that speak to another era.
Morgan believes that true expression comes from embracing the entire range of fruit from a vineyard. Minimal sorting is practiced, ensuring each wine reflects the full personality of the site. As he notes, “Great wine is made in the field”—a philosophy that is central to Bedrock’s partnerships with growers and stewardship of their estate sites.
In 2013, Morgan was joined by his best friend, Chris Cottrell, who moved from New York to Sonoma to help grow Bedrock. Chris brought nearly a decade of fine wine retail experience, infectious energy, and a deep reverence for old vines. Together, they have transformed Bedrock into one of California’s most respected, mission-driven wineries.
While Zinfandel often takes center stage, Bedrock celebrates the thrilling diversity found within these historic field blends—Carignan, Mataro, Semillon, Trousseau Gris, and beyond. In addition to old-vine reds, Bedrock crafts a range of expressive wines: delicate, perfumed rosés, barrel-fermented whites, and violet-scented Syrahs sourced from the beaches of Contra Costa to the gold hills of Amador and every corner of Sonoma.
Bedrock Wine Co. is a living tribute to California’s viticultural heritage—a celebration of vineyards, growers, and the enduring stories captured in every bottle.
Morgan Twain-Peterson Philosophy: “Though I consider the winemaking at Bedrock to be very rudimentary there are several core principles that define the general philosophy. By using incredible sites and maintaining impeccable farming throughout the growing season I can do the bare minimum in the winery. By bare minimum I mean handling fruit gently, in many cases using whole-clusters, and fermenting exclusively with the microflora that comes in with the grapes or is already present in the winery. I use a little new, excellent, French oak and rack as infrequently as possible. I strongly feel that picking the moment the flavors are there is the best way to express site. Thus, I tend to pick earlier than most. I have found that late picking generally occludes terroir but fruit from still vigorous vines brings clarity to site. I generally eschew sorting except in “worst-case scenario” situations. I feel that bringing in the entire range of fruit from a given site results in the truest expression of site with a broader patina of flavors. Though I have the great opportunity to make a wonderful range of wines, these rules tend to govern my decision making in almost all situations.”
Media Links
I'll Drink to That: Episode 236 - Morgan Twain-Peterson
SFGate: Bedrock Wine Co. - Where past heralds the future
Vineyard 360: Bedrock Vineyard - Sonoma Valley
San Francisco Chronicle: Bedrock Wine Co. takes over Contra Costa's Old-Vine Evangelho Vineyard