How She Wears It with Catherine Kistler
How She Wears It, Catherine Kistler
Assistant Winemaker, Occidental
As the second generation behind the acclaimed Sonoma Coast winery Occidental, Catherine continues a legacy deeply rooted in craftsmanship. Her approach is thoughtful and unhurried—much like the winemaking process itself. Working alongside her father, renowned winemaker Steve Kistler, she carries forward the family’s vision at Occidental, a winery celebrated worldwide for its expressive Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs.
Having met Catherine a few years ago after she began collecting our jewelry, we recently visited the winery to see where these remarkably full-bodied wines are born. Find more information about Occidental here.
TRIPLE TASSEL EMERALD
RONDELLES PENDANT
ID TAG SINGLE
CHAIN NECKLACE, 25"
SOUTH SEA DROP PEARL
OVAL LINK PENDANT, LARGE
RECTANGLE BARRE
PHOTO LOCKET
“I get to work outside in nature every day and produce a physical thing that others can enjoy.”
DOUBLE BAND
LINK RING
DIAMOND NEPHRITE JADE
DOUBLE BAND RING
Pinot noir is the focus at Occidental, a grape that is highly reflective of its vineyard. Grown along the far western Sonoma Coast, Catherine’s wines carry the flavors and aromatics of the bay, with a briny, saline character that reflects their coastal roots. Known for being very transparent to site, each vintage captures both the land and the careful patience behind it, revealing the influence of the vineyard and the season.
DIAMOND TIGER'S EYE
DOUBLE BAND RING
DOUBLE BOX
CHAIN BRACELET, MEDIUM LINK
“The best pinot noirs are delicate but intense, possess depth but no undue weight.”
ID TAG DOUBLE SMALL DIAMOND NECKLACE, 16" (BOTH SIDES DIAMOND)
ONYX ROUND
DIAMOND PENDANT, MEDIUM
RECTANGLE TIGER'S EYE
BARRE PHOTO LOCKET
(REVERSIBLE)
CONVERTIBLE COLUMN CHAIN NECKLACE, MEDIUM LINK, 20"
DOUBLE KEY RING
“Good years make you appreciate when mother nature is kind, difficult years remind you that you aren’t in control.”
DIAMOND BLUE CHALCEDONY
SQUARE BARRE PHOTO LOCKET (REVERSIBLE)
AKOYA PEARL DOUBLE LINK
TOGGEL NECKLACE, 20"
At harvest, clusters are clipped close to the vine, and in the winery, each berry is hand-sorted to guarantee only the best fruit is used. Fermentations rely on native yeast, which requires close attention and careful timing to support a healthy process.
ANCHOR CHAIN BRACELET
MEDIUM LINK, 8.25"
ANCHOR CHAIN BRACELET,
LARGE LINK, 8.25"
When she isn’t at the winery, Catherine enjoys the slower pace of life along the coast. She’ll stop at Spud Point for a fresh crab sandwich, or head to the Marshall Store for oysters pulled straight from Tomales Bay. Valley Ford Creamery is her go-to for soft serve made from their own Jersey cows. Whether she is sharing a meal with friends or watching the fog roll in over the hills, these moments connect her to the place she calls home and to the people who keep its traditions alive.
