Absentee Winery

Avi Deixler is a one-man show in the strictest sense: he owns and operates the only registered winery in the North Marin Wine District. In 2016, he opened up Absentee, operating out of a barn on a working dairy farm in Point Reyes. Deixler has a clear vision: to make wine with nothing but grapes.

About the Winemaker

Absentee Winery

Avi Deixler epitomizes the concept of a one-man show, owning and running the sole registered winery in the North Marin Wine District—a right he fiercely battled the Marin County Planning Commission to secure. In 2016, his perseverance paid off, and Absentee emerged, nestled within a barn on a working dairy farm in Point Reyes, close to his childhood stomping grounds. Drawing from extensive training at wineries across California, Oregon, Australia, and France, Deixler harbored a clear vision: crafting wine with one singular ingredient—grapes.

Rumor has it that Avi Deixler nearly pursued a career as a cooper instead of a winemaker, and it's this proficiency with barrels that proves pivotal in his ability to produce pristine, 100% natural wine sans sulfites.

The Region

California, USA

In California, the natural wine movement is thriving, with a diverse array of producers championing organic and biodynamic farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking techniques. From the rolling hills of Sonoma and Napa to the rugged coastline of Mendocino and Santa Barbara, California's winemakers are forging a new path, prioritizing sustainability, terroir expression, and authenticity. These vintners eschew additives and rely on native yeasts for fermentation, resulting in wines that are vibrant, expressive, and true to their origins. With a focus on indigenous grape varieties and a deep respect for the land, California's natural winemakers are reshaping the state's wine industry, offering consumers a taste of the Golden State's diverse terroir and innovative spirit.