Life happens over a bottle of wine: you fall in love, celebrate a birth, mourn someone’s passing, begin, end, plan, listen… dream. Transcendence celebrates the journey you take with a great bottle of wine.

Transcendence Wines was our dream. We are a small, husband-and-wife-run winery dedicated to making exceptional cool-climate Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay from some of the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County’s acclaimed Santa Ynez Valley and Sta. Rita Hills winegrowing regions. We make our wines with care and integrity, in small lots and limited quantities, and in a style that embodies what we love about these grapes—their capacity for structure, nuance, complexity, elegance, and ageing potential.

We are also a winery with a purpose. We believe that wine has the power to bring people together and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, which is why we proudly support the work of several non-profit organizations that inspire us.— Sara & Joey Gummere

Kenneth “Joey” Gummere

I have been honing my craft as a Santa Barbara County winemaker since 1997. Working alongside some of the area’s most renowned vineyard managers and winemakers, I have gained an intimate understanding of this singular winegrowing region and its capacity to produce cool-climate wines of depth and distinction.

In 1999, I joined the team of Santa Barbara County winemaking legend, Bryan Babcock, at Babcock Winery & Vineyards. Working under Bryan, I developed a philosophical and stylistic appreciation for cool-climate wines, in particular the complex beauty that can be achieved in great Syrahs from this area. The following year, I founded my own winery, Kenneth-Crawford, in partnership with fellow winemaker Mark Horvath. My journey as a winemaker also took me to Santa Barbara Winery and Lafond Winery & Vineyards, where I had the great pleasure of learning from noted winemaker and my mentor, Bruce McGuire.

Transcendence is the culmination of my experiences as a winemaker. Crafted in micro-lots and produced in limited quantities, these wines are deeply personal. Whether it is the aromatic, cool-climate complexity of Transcendence Syrah, the graceful sophistication of our Pinot Noir, or the focused crispness of our stainless steel fermented Chardonnay, these wines offer what I love most about these varietals. I hope that you enjoy them.

Sara Gummere

The concept of transcendence has been a thread throughout my life. When I was at Berkeley earning my degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, I was drawn to the ways communication and connection can shape lives and communities. That path inspired me to pursue a Master’s in Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law, where I deepened my skills in negotiation, mediation, and system redesign.

In addition to my passion for the wine industry and co-founding Transcendence Wines, I also founded Transcend Resources. What began as a healthcare IT consulting firm serving hospitals across the country has now grown into a practice dedicated to guiding people and organizations through AI transformation and adoption. Today, Transcend Resources supports teams in embracing artificial intelligence with confidence, building workflows that are efficient, secure, and empowering.

For me, Transcendence is a culmination of my passions and experiences, and a reminder that our work can have meaning and make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Our Inspiration

As a couple, my wife, Sara, and I have always been committed to nurturing and supporting each other’s passions and ideals. For me, the goal has always been to make exceptional wines, something I have strived to do for over 20 years. Sara has dedicated her career to doing meaningful work that makes a difference in people’s lives. When we were married, we promised to support each other’s dreams, and that promise continues to guide us.

In 2006, when a close friend became very ill, we made a special wine for her and her family. Crafted with love and a sense of purpose, it was meant simply to bring joy in a difficult time. We named the wine “Transcendence” because it represented going above and beyond. From there, it sparked not just a name but a brand, one rooted in the belief that wine can elevate life’s most meaningful moments.

At the same time, we know that our success will always rest on the quality of what is in the bottle. As the winemaker for Transcendence Wines, I oversee every step of the process, from the careful selection of our vineyard partners to the decision of when to harvest. In the cellar, each wine is made by hand with attention to the details that elevate quality and honor the provenance of the fruit we are fortunate to work with. Whether it is our Syrah from Ballard Canyon or our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Sta. Rita Hills, our wines reflect the elegance and character of Santa Barbara County, the place we are proud to call home.

We invite you to discover and fall in love with Transcendence Wines.

Joey Gummere, Winemaker