Timbre Winery represents the current chapter in winemaker Josh Klapper’s two-decade arc from award-winning sommelier to one of the Central Coast’s most thoughtful, terroir-driven producers. After earning Wine Spectator’s Grand Award for the list he curated at Sona in Los Angeles, the pull of the cellar eventually became too strong to ignore.

Consequently, Klapper headed north and learned winemaking the hard way in Santa Barbara County. He spent multiple harvests at Au Bon Climat and Qupé, working under Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist to absorb their preference for balance, moderate ripeness, and a clear sense of place.

Later, in 2005, he founded his first label, La Fenêtre, sourcing from respected sites in Santa Maria and the broader Central Coast. Over time, the project evolved into Timbre, a name that captured his idea that site and winemaker together create a distinct color or “voice” in the glass. Because this region contains “crazy geology and many microclimates,” Timbre aims to capture both melody and harmony.

Currently, Timbre works from tasting rooms in Arroyo Grande and a new 6,500-square-foot production facility in San Luis Obispo, locally known as “Cap.” This Central Coast setting is vital. Klapper’s sourcing has long centered on Santa Barbara and SLO County vineyards like Bien Nacido, Presqu’ile, and Riverbench.

Furthermore, the SLO winery consolidates winemaking while offering space for intimate tastings. This facility places Timbre at the center of the emerging SLO Coast story. While the focus remains cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, select Rhône and Bordeaux varieties are layered in to add complexity.

Notably, a small but important part of the picture is Timbre’s kosher program. Klapper began making kosher wine in 2011 after his father encouraged him to do so. Initially, he started with small private-label lots while keeping a portion for himself. Over time, this production grew to around ten percent of his total volume.

Importantly, these wines are not a separate, second tier. They use the same vineyards, the same techniques, and the same intent as the rest of the Timbre range. For Klapper, they also create a personal link; specifically, when he visits his father in New York and makes kiddush on Shabbat, it is often over a wine he made himself.

Beyond the personal connection, these bottlings have drawn significant notice. Timbre wines have been reviewed positively in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Furthermore, Wine Enthusiast has given high-90s scores to several single-vineyard Pinots. More recently, a kosher Riverbench Pinot Noir received 94 points from Antonio Galloni at Vinous.