About Us

JK Wine Company, established in 2007, is a small family winery located in Paso Robles. Led by award winning winemaker Justin Kahler, our mission is to create wines of unparalleled elegance and quality. We produce a limited amount of handcrafted wine under our KATIN and ARADA labels. KATIN is dedicated to Rhône varietals; Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Syrah. Our ARADA label features Albariño, Cabernet Sauvignon, Las Ramblas and Las Ramblas Blanca. Our mission, to produce wines of the highest quality, begins with exceptional vineyard sites and grapes. To that end, we work very closely with local growers of sustainably farmed vineyards to establish long-term contracts. Many of the vineyards we work with are located on the west side of Paso Robles, California. We also work with select vineyards in Edna Valley, York Mountain, Chalone, and the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon. Our minimalist winemaking approach allows us to transform each unique vineyard quality into our signature wines. Explore and Enjoy the wines we love to produce.

Winemaker

Justin Kahler (JK) has earned a reputation as one of the young winemaking stars in the Paso Robles area. His attention to detail and commitment to producing wines that are based on quality rather than quantity causes him to stand out among winemakers on the Central Coast.

Justin became intrigued by wine while working for Erna’s Elderberry House, a five-star / five-diamond estate and restaurant near Yosemite National Park. New to the world of wine, he was able to experience and taste the best wines of the world, shaping his palate with one of the country’s top wine lists. These experiences would form the foundation of his career in wine. Eager to further his knowledge about the science of wine and viticulture, Justin enrolled at California State University, Fresno. A standout student in the Enology program, he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Chemistry in 2004.

Upon graduation from Fresno State, Justin sought a high-end, hands-on experience. He began an eight-month internship at Peter Michael Winery, one of California’s most prestigious estates. Under French-born winemaker Luc Morlet, Justin took part in all aspects of the production of world-class, single vineyard wines.

In search of international experiences, Justin headed to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand to intern for Church Road Winery. The winemaking philosophy at Church Road was shaped by a twenty-year information sharing relationship with Cordier in Bordeaux. Justin furthered his experience of traditional Bordeaux red winemaking, as well as the production of aromatic whites.

Upon his return to the U.S. in July of 2005, Justin accepted the Director of Winemaking and Viticulture position with Calcareous Vineyards, a new winery located on the westside of Paso Robles. During his two years there, Justin oversaw the construction of a new winery and the further development of the 454-acre estate property.  In 2007, Justin seized the opportunity to establish his own winery in Paso Robles and founded the JK Wine Company.  During 2007 Justin also began working with long-time winemaker Michael Michaud as Associate Winegrower for Michaud Vineyard in the Chalone appellation of Monterey County.  

Justin resides in Paso Robles with his wife Katie and sons Luke and Noah.