The Cabana Winery Story
Every bottle of wine tells a story. It speaks of the sun and soil that nurtured the grapes, the hands that harvested them, and the seasons that shaped their character. But for some wines, the story runs deeper, weaving through family history, personal passion, and the courage to start a new chapter. This is the story of Cabana Winery—a tale that begins with a legacy of love and culminates in the feeling of a perfect day at the beach.
The Foundation: A Legacy Named Rene
Our journey in wine didn’t start in 2011 with Cabana. It began decades earlier, rooted in the rich soils of Amador County and a deep family connection. For 19 years, I had the privilege of building and shaping Renwood, a winery I founded and poured my heart into. The name itself was a tribute to the most important person in my life, my wife, Rene. Renwood was more than a business; it was a testament to our partnership and a reflection of our shared passion. Over those nearly two decades, we cultivated not just vineyards, but a reputation for quality and a profound understanding of the art and science of winemaking.
Those years were formative, building a foundation of experience that is impossible to replicate. They taught me the rhythm of the vineyard, the nuance of the barrel, and the delicate art of the final blend. But after almost twenty years dedicated to a single vision, a new desire began to stir—a yearning for a different kind of challenge, a new story to tell.
A New Dream: The Urban and the Boutique
The next chapter was truly a family affair. As I contemplated a new venture, my daughters brought their own vision to the table. They were inspired by the burgeoning urban winery movement—the idea of bringing the cellar door experience to the heart of the city, making it more accessible, vibrant, and connected to the community. Their energy and modern perspective were infectious.
At the same time, I harbored a desire to return to the core of my craft. I envisioned a boutique winery where every single step of the process was intimately managed. I wanted the freedom to source grapes from the most exceptional vineyards across Northern California, to ferment in small, meticulously controlled lots, and to personally oversee the creation of each blend. It was a vision of quality over quantity, of artisanal craftsmanship over mass production.
In 2011, these two dreams converged, and Cabana was born. We opened our first winery and tasting room in Sacramento, embracing the urban winery concept my daughters had championed. For seven wonderful years, we brought our passion for wine to the city, building a community of friends and enthusiasts who shared our love for finely crafted vintages. It was the perfect start, allowing us to establish our identity and refine our approach. But as our focus sharpened and our ambition grew, it became clear that our story needed a new setting. To expand our production and truly realize the boutique vision, we needed to be closer to the source. We found our perfect home in Lodi.
The Cabana Philosophy: Craft, Care, and Character
The move to Lodi marked a new era for Cabana. Here, surrounded by some of California’s most celebrated old-vine vineyards, we had the space and inspiration to perfect our winemaking philosophy. At the heart of our operation is a commitment to hands-on, small-lot production.
It all starts in the vineyard. We believe that great wine is grown, not made. That’s why we’ve forged relationships with premier growers in three of California’s most renowned wine regions: Lodi, Napa, and Amador County. This allows us to work with an incredible palette of fruit, from Lodi’s powerful Zinfandels and diverse Iberian varietals to Napa’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon and Amador’s rugged, high-elevation Barbera.
Once these pristine grapes arrive at the winery, we treat them with the utmost care. We ferment in small, individual lots, which allows us to tailor the process to the specific character of each vineyard block. It’s a labor-intensive method, but it’s the only way to ensure that the unique voice of the terroir is heard. Following fermentation, the wines are laid to rest in fine French oak barrels. We choose French oak for its subtle influence, its ability to frame the wine and add layers of complexity—notes of spice, vanilla, and toast—without overpowering the beautiful fruit we worked so hard to cultivate.
The final, crucial step is the blend. This is where my 30 years of experience come into play. Tasting through the individual barrel lots is like a composer reviewing the different sections of an orchestra. Each one has its own strengths, its own personality. The art is in seeing how they can come together to create a symphony—a finished wine that is harmonious, balanced, and far greater than the sum of its parts. This meticulous, passion-driven process is how we create our portfolio of 18 award-winning wines today.
The Name: A Feeling in a Bottle
With a story so rooted in family and experience, people often ask about our name. Why “Cabana”? The answer is simple, yet it captures everything we are about. It came from a simple thought: “Making wine is like a day at the beach.”
Being from New England originally, beach days were not a given. They were rare, precious, and something you looked forward to with immense anticipation. A perfect beach day is a reward. It’s a moment to unplug from the chaos of life, to feel the warmth of the sun, and to simply be present. It represents relaxation, joy, and the celebration of a special moment.
That is the exact feeling we want to evoke with our wines. All the hard work, the early mornings in the vineyard, the careful tending in the cellar, the endless cleaning, and the patient waiting—it’s all done so that when you finally open that bottle, you can have your own “day at the beach.” It’s your reward, your moment of blissful escape.
We invite you to come and share that experience with us. Our Lodi tasting room is more than just a place to sample wine; it’s a place to connect, to relax, and to become part of our story. We host wine tastings, special events, and are always here to share our passion with you. Stop in today, and let us pour you a little sunshine.
We look forward to sharing the Cabana wine experience with you.
The Smerling Family