Our winemaker, Nico Cueva and Hawaiian Chef of the Year, Mike Lofaro set out on a journey, from the Sonoma Coast to the Maui shore, to capture a sense of place through their wine and food.
“Shore to Shore” is the mini-documentary that follows these craftsmen to their respective backyards, highlighting how each draws immense inspiration through community, stewardship of the land, and their drive to push boundaries.
Nico’s obsession for quality, and passion for creating thought-provoking Pinot Noir and Chardonnay leads the KB winemaking team each vintage to craft exquisite wines that highlight a sense of place. This reverence for Mother Nature mirrors many of the core values of Chef Mike, who is recognized for his pioneering approach to creating beautiful dishes that focus on sustainably and locally sourced ingredients on the island of Maui.
Chef Mike Lofaro (left) and Winemaker Nico Cueva (right) thoughtfully prep for the dinner ahead, confirming all flavors align.
The Journey Begins
In Hawaii, on the island of Maui, Chef Mike and Nico forage for ingredients in the lush, tropical paradise in the Iao Valley. Nature’s invisible cities of ingredients grow all around us. Chef Mike gathers Honohono grass and edible white ginger flowers along their hike. The stem of the ginger flower is spicy, and the flower gives off heady honeysuckle aromas.
After picking coffee beans and guava in Maui’s sun-drenched tropical forest, Chef Mike takes Nico to his favorite rocky ocean outcropping to hunt for rare Opihi shellfish.
Sonoma Coast at Sunrise
“Sometimes you have to go a little off the beaten path to get what you’re looking for.”
-Nico
SUSTAINABLE FORAGING
Walking along the shoreline, Chef Mike catches sight of bladderwrack, a savory-tasting, salty seagrass growing on volcanic ocean rocks.
Under a thick canopy of California Redwoods, Candice spots a patch of rare, wild yellowfoot chanterelles, which only grow in the months of December through March
Gap’s Crown Vineyard at Dawn
MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT.
SHAPERS OF INGREDIENTS.
The Grand Gathering
The journey comes full circle, brought together by the resolution of time, people, places, ingredients, craft, and skill.
SENSORY PERFORMANCE ART
The journey comes full circle, brought together by the resolution of time, people, places, ingredients, craft, and skill.
FROM PLACE TO PLATE
After scouring the warm, tropical forests of Maui for ingredients, and searching along the cool Pacific shores of the Sonoma Coast, Chef Mike plates the main course while Nico pairs the 2016 Kosta Browne Gap’s Crown Pinot Noir from grapes harvested mere miles away.
