Winemaker
Erik Miller, an Indiana native, proudly introduces his inaugural wine, KOKOMO.  From his boyhood days in the farmlands of Central Indiana to his studious past at Purdue University, Erik always had a westward dream to make wines.  After graduating from Purdue in 1999 he set his sights on Sonoma County in order to pursue his dreams. “I traded in the soybeans and cornfields for the brighter skies, rolling hills and vineyards,” Miller said.  “With my Midwesten values, I approached the new territory with a promise to always treat the farmers and business the same - with respect.”

He had his first opportunity to make an impression as a wine professional while working crush at Belvedere Winery in the Russian River Valley.  Starting at ground level as a cellar worker, there was an immediate connection to the industry. After working that first harvest, Miller decided to enroll at U.C. Davis to study enology and learn from the best in the field. During the time he was attending classes, he met Rick Hutchinson, owner and winemaker of Amphora Winery, and was offered a full-time cellar worker position. Hutchinson soon offered Erik an Assistant Winemaker position and he gladly accepted the chance to be an apprentice to a proven "garagiste".

While handling his duties as Assistant Winemaker, Miller started his own brand with a 2004 single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Mounts Vineyard. In naming his new creation, the winemaker decided to pay tribute to his Indiana hometown of Kokomo. In 2005, while still sharing space with Amphora, Miller brought on his best friend and college roommate, Josh Bartels, for help with the new winery's second vintage. With Bartels on board, the two upped production and increased the product line to consist of six varietals. After the 2006 harvest, Kokomo Wines moved into its own facility at Timber Crest Farms in Dry Creek Valley.

Assistant Winemaker
Josh Bartels, an Indiana native, first met Erik Miller while studying at Purdue University. The two ended up being roommates while there and graduated a year apart with the same degree. It was during these formative years in academia that Bartels started developing a palate for the “finer tastes” in life. While experimenting with different business ventures, he worked part-time at a local wine shop in Indianapolis and his passion and knowledge of fine wines began to bloom.

Josh got a call from California one summer day in 2005 - it was his best buddy Erik. Miller wanted him to come to Sonoma County to work harvest with him at Amphora Winery. This incredible opportunity to work with such a great winemaker, Rick Hutchinsin, could not be passed up. Josh was immediately bitten by the “wine bug” and Erik was persistent in wanting Bartels to move to Sonoma County to join him in creating incredible wines. All Josh had to do was to convince his wife to relocate. Needless to say, he succeeded. Josh absorbed as much knowledge as possible from the ground-up while working hand in hand with fellow “cellar dogs” Rick and Erik. When Kokomo Wines moved into their own facility, after the 2006 harvest, Bartels and Miller put all of their focus into creating ultra-premium wines.