A Central Coast native, Aaron Jackson’s path to winemaking began with a question. “How can we write a new story for Central Coast wine, and how do we unlock its potential?” To answer this, he found himself working in coastal Pinot Noir vineyards near his hometown of Cayucos, and working in cellars producing wines from Paso Robles’ westside, most uniquely Petite Sirah. While studying wine at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, he pooled together the pennies from his weekend jobs and launched his eponymous label with the first vintage of Aaron Petite Sirah in 2002. His career continued to lead him to work with several acclaimed wineries in Paso Robles, along with earning his Master’s degree in Oenology from the University of Adelaide in South Australia. In 2017, Aaron took charge in leading the effort to create the San Luis Obispo Coast AVA (SLO Coast), which was approved in 2021.
Now over 20 years in, Aaron continues to focus on pushing boundaries and bringing pride to his homeland through his wines, all of which are driven by authenticity and devotion to unearthing the potential of Paso Robles and the San Luis Obispo Coast.
Making it Happen
Director of Sales
Marketing & Brand Manager
Cellarmaster
Quesadillas
Fruits of Our Labor
Aaron began in 2002 with a focus on producing powerful, age-worthy wines from the rugged hillsides of westside Paso Robles, California. Always seeking to veer from the norm, we found inspiration in one of California’s most historic grapes — Petite Sirah — crafting a portfolio centered around its depth, structure, and unmistakable character. From a small selection of exceptional vineyards in the Willow Creek, Adelaida, and Templeton Gap districts of west Paso Robles, we source intense yet balanced fruit to create wines that reflect the power, freshness, and complexity of this remarkable region. Through a portfolio of distinctive blends, we strive to craft our best expression of Paso Robles terroir.
Shop Aaron
AKANA began as a desire to produce Pinot Noir and white wines from vineyards closer to the ocean than most anywhere else in California. Named after Aaron’s great-grandmother, AKANA reflects a deeply personal connection to the coast and the spirit of place that inspires these wines. From foggy, windswept sites west of the Santa Lucia Mountains and no more than 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean, we work with dedicated growers to craft a portfolio of expressive wines that showcase truly coastal terroir. This study in extreme coastal winegrowing eventually led us to help spearhead the creation of the new San Luis Obispo Coast (SLO Coast) AVA, the most coastal AVA in the United States.
Shop Akana
As a team of outdoor enthusiasts and avid supporters of the beautiful place we call home, we have joined 1% for the Planet, an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes and nonprofits.
Because of our passion for Big Sur and land stewardship, we’ve partnered with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance to protect, preserve, and restore the wilderness and public lands of Big Sur. We’ve specifically been supporting their amazing efforts at maintaining and rebuilding the extensive network of hiking trails and camps that have been ravaged by recent wildfires and landslides. Our partnership has brought much needed support to keep this incredible stretch of coastline open for the public to enjoy forever.
