Our History


Traverse - meaning to travel across or through is very fitting for our philosophy and curiosity to work with multiple vineyard sites throughout California. These are vineyards that we believe are unique and have the ability to make beautiful site minded wines as well bring family and friends together to make regular moments that much more special. Enjoy. 


"It is this broken road with pitfalls and sharp turns and unexpected traverses that has brought me joy and adventure.”

 

Tony Chapman

Tony grew up in the small town of Fairfax, located in Marin County. Always fascinated with the vineyards and the wine his parents drank, he went on to study Wine and Viticulture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. During his studies he worked at the student vineyard on Cal Poly’s campus and part-time for Tablas Creek Vineyards. This was where his enthusiasm for wine and viticulture really took off. Soon after graduating he travelled to New Zealand where he worked in the vineyards at Bell Hill in North Canterbury.

After New Zealand, he set his sights back to California where he worked at Bedrock Wine Co. and got the chance to work with some of the oldest vineyards in California. Following the 2014 vintage he accepted a position at Mac Forbes in the Yarra Valley. He spent two vintages there in Australia working in the vineyards and winery. During that time he was able to travel to Austria and work a vintage at Moric in Burgenland. It was there he fell even more in love with old vines and sparked his interest in working with Austrian varietals.

Deciding to end his working abroad, Tony relocated back to California and started making the dream of Traverse Wine Co. come to life