Tackitt Family Vineyards

Located in beautiful Paso Robles, California, where the rolling hills are lush with vibrant color and the wine is abundant, lies Tackitt Family Vineyards. It began with the initial planting of 29 Gewürztraminer vines brought from Germany by John Thomas in the early 1970s. Later, the fruit of these vines would become their flagship wine and be used to launch the Tackitt Family Vineyards opening with their first crush in 2007.

Leon Tackitt, co-owner, winemaker, and grandson of John Thomas, retired in 2007 from the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) after 27 years of service and then along with his wife, Cindy, opened the doors of Tackitt Family Vineyards in the spring of 2008. In 2009, cloning his grandfather’s vines, Leon planted an acre of Gewurztraminer on the west side of the property, as well as an acre of Petite Sirah on the east side. You can see both of these vineyards during your visit, and pay homage the original Gewurztraminer vines that started it all! Now, the Tackitt Family Vineyards produces over 1,000 gallons of juice on their own property, and purchases additional grapes from just over the hill (within the same Paso Robles Estrella AVA) to make a variety of award-winning wines. All of the grape pressing, wine barreling, and bottling is done right on the estate.

Our handcrafted, premium wines are created using old-style techniques in small lots to ensure the highest quality. The signature wines of Tackitt Family Vineyards are a Gewürztraminer that is made slightly drier with more fruit intensity and complements a wide variety of cuisines, and a full-bodied Petite Sirah that continues to excite the judges with many awards. We also produce a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a unique Bordeaux-style Blend, a classic Cabernet Sauvignon, an intense but smooth Zinfandel, and a well-rounded Merlot. In addition to these great wines, we also produce a solera-aged dessert wine made from Late Harvest Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.

While he was an EOD Technician, Leon mastered the art of staying cool under pressure, providing leadership through example, and of course disarming ordnance. As a vintner, he has mastered the art and science of transforming hand-selected grapes into premium, quality wines that your taste buds will welcome. Leon has taken what began with his grandfather as a modest family hobby and he and Cindy have turned it into the award-winning Tackitt Family Vineyards with a focus on exception craft wines that any and all can enjoy.

Tackitt Family Vineyards proudly brings you EOD Cellars, a special selection of wines created to honor and support the men, women, and families of our Armed Services. EOD Cellars wines are specially bottled and sold to support the EOD Warrior Foundation, with 100% of the net proceeds from purchases going to this foundation.