Ama

Ama is a specialized wine project founded by winemaker Matt Taylor, a Sonoma County native who previously held positions at Araujo Estate and performed a stage at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy. The label was developed to explore high elevation viticulture on the West Sonoma Coast through a highly personal lens. The name is a tribute to the Ama, traditional Japanese female sea divers who dive for seafood and pearls. Taylor, an experienced free diver, identifies with this practice and uses the project to manifest a minimalist approach to coastal winemaking.

The winery sources fruit primarily from the Komorebi Vineyard, a high altitude site Taylor planted in 2011 near the Pacific Ocean. This vineyard is defined by its extreme maritime influence, which provides a cool climate and a long growing season that preserves natural acidity. Winemaking follows a non-interventionist philosophy, utilizing native yeast fermentations and aging wines in concrete eggs or neutral French oak vessels. A distinctive feature of the production is the branding of every cork with the Seiman and Doman symbols, traditional Japanese motifs intended to ward off ill fortune and protect the wine.

Ama is best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are characterized by saline minerality, bright acidity, and transparency of site. The wines are recognized for their low alcohol levels and structural elegance, moving away from more concentrated California styles. The bottles are often hand-painted, reinforcing the project's artisanal and artistic identity. Although production volumes are small, the brand has established a reputation for its precise expressions of the West Sonoma Coast terroir.