ABOUT

MEET THE FAMILY

Proprietors Katherine and Josh Morris along with their three children - Grace (14), Ella (9) and Colton (4) - count themselves beyond blessed to call the Central Coast their home.

Together, they love lake trips, camping, weekends filled with softball, dirtbikes and ice cream.

Their passion for double plays, 2-stroke oil and the perfect waffle cone is matched only by their pursuit of excellence in winemaking and hospitality.

For six years, they've owned and operated Ella's Vineyard with a very personal approach. Most days you'll find Katherine meeting with couples to go over wedding details or pouring wine in the tasting room while Josh is usually driving a tractor, tending to the vineyard or blending wines. Grace, Ella and Colton are just as much a part of the family business and will often be stocking bottle racks, loading firewood and moving tables and chairs.

Their labor is one of tenacity and love and they can't wait to share that passion with every person that visits the vineyard or tasting room.

OUR STORY

After photographing weddings for more than 10 years and experiencing the chaos that planning a wedding could be with their own, Katherine and Josh saw a need for a venue that would allow couples to slow down, relax and actually get to spend quality time with their family and friends. In 2010, they found the perfect property and named it after their daughter, The Grace Maralyn.

Eight years, a tremendous amount of success and a second daughter later, Katherine and Josh decided to open a second venue that would also allow them to explore their passion and love for making and enjoying great wines. In the most serendipitous series of events, they were given the opportunity to purchase the vineyard from the Backer Family in September of 2018.

Katherine and Josh knew that if they were going to keep peace in the house, they would eventually need to name an estate after their second daughter and that's when August Ridge became Ella's Vineyard. Since then, the gorgeous farmhouse, rustic barn, ancient oak trees and sun-drenched vineyards have provided a space for memories to be made, stories shared and families to unite in love and laughter.

MEET ELLA

In February of 2015, Ella entered this world with bright blue eyes and a fun-loving soul. She quickly stole her parents' hearts with shared morning bowls of "opie-nope" (aka oatmeal) and slow dances in the kitchen to Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings.

Today, Ella is the most energetic and outgoing social butterfly of the family. Everyone is immediately her best friend and had better have a spare minute (or hour) to listen to her fanciful stories and play, "Would you rather." Her favorite grape is Cabernet Sauvignon and she loves to work... so long as she's getting paid.

From the moment Ella set foot on "her" property, she's taken ownership very seriously. The photo to the left was taken on that day and if you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she'll tell you very matter of factly, "A winemaker."

THE OTHER HALF OF THE STORY

Though Katherine and Josh work longer hours than any sane or normal person should, they couldn't do it without the incredible people they've surrounded themselves with.

Chris "SQUIRRELLY" Ljepava

ASSISTANT WINEMAKER

Chris and Josh have known each other for more than 27 years. They grew up riding dirt bikes, rallying cars and contemplating life while smoking cigars. As time passed, Chris began to work alongside Josh in photography, video production, holiday décor, construction, hospitality, venue management, landscape design and just about any other craziness Josh could get them into. It only seemed fitting that when the vineyard was purchased, they'd make wine together. Chris is one of the most genuine, honest, hard-working, thoughtful, creative, selfless, God-fearing people you'll ever meet. When he's not slaying corners on his Harley, he's making some of the best Italian wines coming out of Paso Robles.

ANNA WATTERWORTH

EVENTS COORDINATOR

We first met Anna and her husband, HT, in 2012 when they got married at our sister property, The Grace Maralyn Estate. Fast forward ten years and Anna is now coordinating and managing events at Ella's Vineyard. With over five years of professional experience in the wedding industry, she brings the perfect balance of energy, sweetness, vision, organization and down-to-earth practicality to every one of our events. She's a mother of two girls (Lilly and Quinn), loves cheering for the Raiders (don't hold it against her) and will stop at nothing to make sure your event goes off without a hitch. Our clients rave about Anna's attentiveness, ability to adapt and never-ending cheerfulness. She's been an incredible addition to our team and we're so thankful to have her.

THE CROWN

When Katherine and Josh decided to name the vineyard after their daughter, Ella, they knew they needed an iconic symbol that would represent the essence and heart of the project.

As Josh was contemplating what this could be, Ella came twirling into the living room - as she often would - with her ballet dress flowing and fingers pointed delicately to the sky. Adorning her head was a dollar-store tiara that would only come off for bedtime and baths.

In that moment, Josh realized the simultaneous simplicity and beauty of his daughter's crown. It was a point in time he wanted to remember forever - a reminder that true joy is found in love.

With the help of Portuguese artist, Felipe Damasceno, the hand-drawn crown became the hallmark for Ella's Vineyard and a symbolic reminder of the simple joys in life.

ON INSTAGRAM

@ellasvineyard

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