Chuck Carlson's winemaking career in Santa Barbara County spans more than 25 years, including the past seven years as the proprietor of Carlson Wines, specializing in limited-edition Pinot Noirs from remarkable vineyards in the Arroyo Grande Valley, Santa Maria Valley and Santa Rita Hills. 

As a young winemaker with a newly minted enology degree from Fresno State University, Chuck first joined Zaca Mesa Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he helped create the winery's groundbreaking Rhône varietal program. The "school of Zaca Mesa" has since become renowned for launching the careers of many notable Central Coast winemakers. Since 1995, Chuck has been the winemaker at Curtis Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, which was founded as one of California's first wineries to specialize exclusively in Rhône varietals.

Along the way, however, Chuck never lost his personaly affinity for the Pinot Noir grape, and in 2004 he launched Carlson Wines, with the singular goal of crafting a trio of Pinot Noirs showcasing the individual qualities of three standout vineyards in three premier Central Coast appellations.

Among Chuck's personal interests is deep sea fishing, and his related adventures have earned him the nicknmame "Calypso." Chuck and his wife have two grown children, and live in Arroyo Grande.