Khaledi describes. “We prefer the kinds of wines they used to make in [the] Napa Valley, but had become rare, using no commercial yeast, but rather only native yeast to ferment sugars.” Khaledi says he knows that approach is risky. “We will never bottle wine that is flawed, where perhaps the fermentation didn’t go well,” he says. That might mean throwing out more wine than anticipated, but “our membership and clientele come first,” Khaledi says, adding that he won’t sell any products that, in his estimation, are substandard. To that end, all farming on the property occurs organically, without the use of any pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Unparalleled experiences Today, Ashes & Diamonds sits on 30 acres: 25 acres are planted, and five acres are devoted to production, hospitality and administrative offices. The winery offers only dry wines that are fully fermented without residual sugar. Cabernet franc, whose grapes thrive in cooler temperatures and thicker, clay-based soil, is the house specialty. Clients can also find merlot and rosé, and through leases with other vineyards, Ashes & Diamonds offers cabernet sauvignon. To introduce and familiarize clients with their wines, the winery offers a variety of tasting experiences, including an option with a luncheon of seasonal, family-style dishes prepared in-house by a full-time in- house chef. Membership at the winery entitles buyers
to preferred pricing on A&D Winery experiences, traveler benefits, A&D event access, flat-rate shipping within the continental U.S. and member-exclusive wines. Members who live in the Los Angeles area also have access to a private lounge that is part of Khaledi’s residence there. He commutes to the winery from his residence at least once a week. Caring stewards Khaledi’s Los Angeles home-turned-private-lounge came to be thanks to California Bank & Trust, which provided him with the loan to purchase the historic mid-century compound in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. “I’ve had a relationship with this bank for as long as I can remember,” he says. “I can’t say enough about CB&T and how they’ve helped me with their level of care, compassion and humanity. They’re not only my bank, but my bankers, Henry Chun and Amal Ezzeieh, are my armchair therapists and like family to me. I’m so grateful to be working with such brilliant and kind people who are also such good friends. They are such caring stewards of the visions of creative people like myself.” As for the winery’s future, Khaledi feels fortunate that his business survived the pandemic and wildfires in 2017 and 2020. “The Four Horsemen have been trotting pretty close to us over the past seven years,” he notes. “No more disasters would be nice. We’re still standing, but it has not been easy. Yet I’m confident that we will continue to thrive.”
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