In 2019, rising star Julien Howsepian was named just the third winemaker in Kosta Browne’s history at the age of 34. Building on the winemaking foundation established by Co-founder Michael Browne, Julien has cemented Kosta Browne’s reputation as one of the world’s most revered wineries, and a beacon of excellence in New World Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Guided by his visionary leadership and winemaking artistry, Julien has led Kosta Browne though one of the most ambitious and successful periods in the winery’s storied history. This has included elevating Kosta Browne’s Chardonnays to world-class levels, establishing the winery’s sparkling program, and expanding the Kosta Browne portfolio to Oregon’s majestic Willamette Valley and the legendary vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay and Meursault in Burgundy, France.

A first-generation American, Julien was born into a family with a French father and a Dutch mother who inspired in him an early love of wine. Raised in Northern California’s Bay Area, Julien regularly traveled to France to visit family, including relatives in the wine industry. These early visits kindled Julien’s appreciation for the culture of wine, and led him to UC Davis, where he earned a degree in viticulture and enology. Prior to joining Kosta Browne, Julien gained invaluable hands-on experience at several venerable California estates and in New Zealand’s acclaimed Hawkes Bay region.

After joining Kosta Browne in 2012, Julien quickly established himself as an invaluable member of the team with an innovative, detail-oriented approach to winemaking and a love of blending. Working alongside Michael Browne, Julien was rapidly promoted from production assistant to cellar master to assistant winemaker, and in 2019 he was appointed winemaker. “Working alongside Michael, I learned the Kosta Browne way from the ground up,” says Julien. “Michael brought an absolute clarity of vision to his winemaking that continues to define us. He also established a culture that empowers our team to achieve that vision.”

While Julien has a deep grounding in the science of winemaking, he also believes that truly compelling wines go beyond chemistry. “Extraordinary wines reflect the interconnectedness of many factors—the vineyard, the season, the grapes, and the people who make the wine. Understanding how these elements work together is the essence of great wine.” A winemaker who balances intellectual curiosity with a deep passion for exploring the world’s great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay terroirs, Julien relishes the opportunity to coax the full potential from each of the famed vineyards he works with. “As a winemaker, it is a gift to work with such amazing vineyards. Each one has a fascinating story to tell. For more than a quarter century Kosta Browne has been dedicated to telling these stories. To build on this legacy is an honor and a privilege.”

Prized for their thoughtful complexity, character and age-worthiness, Julien has earned renown for crafting some of the most acclaimed wines in Kosta Browne’s history. In 2025, he was honored as one of “the best young leaders” in the wine industry when he was named one of the Beverage Information Group’s “40 Under 40.”