About B.R. Cohn
Rooted in the heart of Sonoma Valley we are guided by our passion for music, exceptionally crafted wine and authentic tasting experiences.
Open 7 days a week from 10am - 5pm
Reservations Required
15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442 (opens in a new window)
(800) 330-4064
Rock 'N' Roll Roots
Founded in 1984 by Bruce Cohn, manager of the Grammy award winning band The Doobie Brothers, B.R. Cohn is rooted in California Rock 'n Roll. Our winery venue has hosted countless concerts over the decades and is now the proud home of the Sonoma Harvest Music Festival.
Olive Hill Estate Vineyard
Comprised of eight blocks and 55 acres, the Olive Hill Estate Vineyard is planted mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts dedicated to Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The unique location benefits from a distinct microclimate created by the Sonoma Mountain to our west and Mayacamas Mountain Range to the north, resulting in fruit with full tannins and flavor profiles every vintage.
Historic Olive Grove
Our Olive Hill Estate Vineyard is named after the historic grove of over 450 Picholine Olive Trees spread throughout our property. Dating back to the mid-1800’s these trees continue to produce the olives that make up our Picholine olive oil.
Our Story
Music Influences
Winery founder Bruce Cohn was introduced to the music industry at an early age. Prior to moving west from Chicago, Illinois, his father sang Italian Arias and his mother was known to have sung with Frank Sinatra in the Chicago nightclub scene. In 1956, the family relocated to the Bay Area and settled in Sonoma County. While at college, studying broadcasting and communications, Bruce became intimately involved with the San Francisco music scene, running a music rehearsal studio by day and serving as a television engineer at night. It was around this time, in 1970, that Bruce met and became the manager of the Doobie Brothers, which he managed for 45 years as they climbed the charts into Rock-n-Roll stardom.
Agricultural Retreat
In 1974, to keep some sanity and preserve his family's quality of life, Bruce purchased an old dairy in Glen Ellen. With a drive to cultivate the existing vineyard, Bruce soon became intensely involved with all aspects of growing grapes, mentored by Charlie Wagner of Caymus. A decade after taking ownership of the land and having great success selling grapes to other wineries, Bruce founded B.R. Cohn Winery in 1984.
Award Winning Wines & Olive Oils
After selling the grapes from his Olive Hill Estate for many years and seeing the numerous awards the wines made with his fruit were receiving, Bruce began producing his own wines in 1984. Charlie Wagner then bestowed the greatest honor upon the winery, permitting the use of Caymus' trademarked "Special Selection" on the best lots from the estate. B.R. Cohn Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the entire portfolio, continues to receive strong reviews and accolades.
In the 1990, Bruce embarked on the journey of processing the olives at the Olive Hill Estate, creating California's first single estate olive oil in over a century, and founding the B.R. Cohn Olive Oil Company. We continue to produce a selection of artisan olive oils and wine vinegars, which are sold alongside our wines at the estate, as well as in select gourmet shops.
Bruce has since retired from the music, olive oil and winemaking business but his legacy lives on in the soulful wines, Sonoma-grown staples for any kitchen and the music that rings out over the vineyards.
1950
Bruce Cohn moves with family from Chicago to Sonoma County.
1974
Bruce Cohn purchases land and vineyard that would become Olive Hill Estate, begins selling grapes to local wineries.
1978
Charlie Wagner of Caymus Vineyards family, encourages Bruce to ask for vineyard designation on wines made with his grapes.
1980
Gundlach-Bundschu Olive Hill Cabernet selected by the White House as a gift to China, representing a stellar example of a California red wine.
1984
Founding of B.R. Cohn Winery. First winemakers include Helen Turley, Merry Edwards, and Steve MacRostie.
1990
Founded B.R. Cohn Olive Oil Company.
2018
Bottlerock Presents hosts the inaugural Sonoma Harvest Music Festival at B.R. Cohn
Current winemaker, Glenn Hugo, joins B.R. Cohn.
