A Masterclass in Pinot Noir with Kosta Browne’s Julien Howsepian

In this episode of The Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Julien Howsepian, lead winemaker at Kosta Browne, one of California’s most acclaimed producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Julien shares how his path led from UC Davis to becoming a key figure in American fine wine and explains what makes the Kosta Browne portfolio so distinct—from Russian River to Santa Rita Hills, and even Burgundy. 🍇 Julien’s journey from economics major to head winemaker—and how a brewery in Pennsylvania helped shape his approach to winery logistics and efficiency. 🌍 The regional diversity of Kosta Browne’s portfolio, including Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Burgundy. 🍷 What makes wines from Treehouse, Gaps Crown, Keefer Ranch, Shea, and Cerise vineyards stand out—and how Kosta Browne brings out their unique voices. 🛠️ The role of fermentation vessels—stainless steel, oak, and concrete—in shaping texture, aromatic lift, and style across the range. 🔬 Why Kosta Browne focuses on purity, place, and structure, and how Julien uses small-lot fermentation and non-interventionist winemaking to highlight terroir. A must-listen for fans of Pinot Noir, site-driven winemaking, and the evolution of modern California wine & beyond. 🎧 Listen now and explore the Kosta Browne wines at vintmarketplace.com Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast 00:37 Winemaker Interviews and News 01:34 Entrepreneur News and Wine Releases 04:41 Champagne Masters and Non-Vintage Favorites 11:37 Interview with Julian Halian of Costa Brown 22:41 The Challenge of Logistics in the Wine Business 23:15 Learning Efficiency from Samuel Adams Brewery 25:40 Implementing Efficient Processes at the Winery 26:17 Specific Examples of Efficiency in Winemaking 27:22 The Importance of Organization During Harvest 29:42 Exploring the Wines of Costa Brown 31:53 The Evolution of Costa Brown"s Wine Portfolio 39:01 Unique Characteristics of Different Vineyards 42:44 Comparing Pinot Noir from Different Regions 49:37 Impact of Different Fermentation Vessels 51:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com. To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com. Cheers!