Behind the bottle
Christopher Cellars is a boutique, family-run winery in Elk Grove, California, founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Candice Mora. Together, they’ve built a winery grounded in craftsmanship, community, and authenticity, where every bottle reflects both their dedication and the land they love.
Chris Mora, Winemaker and Founder, began his journey in the cellar at Woodbridge Winery before spending years as Assistant Winemaker at a boutique winery in Lodi, where he mastered every step of the winemaking process from grape to bottle. In 2019, he launched Christopher Cellars from the ground up, transforming his vision of small-lot, low-intervention wines into a thriving, hands-on operation. Chris oversees all production, from vineyard sourcing and fermentation to barrel aging and blending, focusing on wines that showcase the character and diversity of Lodi’s sub-AVAs.
Candice Mora, Co-Owner and Hospitality Director, grew up immersed in the restaurant world. Her parents opened Boulevard Bistro, a refined French restaurant in Elk Grove, where she managed the front of house for many years. There, she cultivated a deep love for hospitality, food, and wine, and learned how unforgettable experiences are created through warmth, service, and attention to detail. A Level One Sommelier, Candice now brings that same passion to Christopher Cellars, curating memorable tastings, managing events, and leading the winery’s hospitality and wine club programs.
What truly sets Christopher Cellars apart is that it’s a family endeavor through and through. You’ll often find the Mora children grape-stomping, sorting fruit, or helping around the cellar, while Candice joins Chris in the winemaking process during harvest. Their belief is simple: wine should bring people together—and that spirit of family, teamwork, and heart is poured into every glass.
Our Journey, by the Years
2019
Christopher Cellars began with just eight barrels of wine and a clear vision: to create small-lot, low-intervention wines that speak honestly of place. Built entirely from the ground up, the early years were defined by hands-on winemaking, long harvest days, and an unwavering focus on quality over scale.
The original Bartholomew Family Vineyard was planted at high density, with narrow rows that prioritized vine competition and fruit quality over convenience. From the beginning, the focus was on farming first, even when that meant sacrificing efficiency. The tight spacing made it impossible to run standard machinery between rows, so nearly everything was done by hand. Pruning, canopy work, harvesting, and vineyard care relied on long days, manual labor, and the help of family and close friends who believed in the vision.
A huge contributor during those early years was Chris’s mother, Denise Mora, whose hands-on support and steady presence became part of the foundation of the winery. Her influence inspired one of our most beloved wines, Mother Knows Best, a Bordeaux-style red blend crafted in her honor and inspired by one of her favorite styles. What began as family help in the vineyard became a lasting reminder that this winery was never just about wine, but about the people behind it.
2020
Christopher Cellars opened its tasting room doors to the public March 7, 2020 welcoming guests into the cellar to experience the wines firsthand.
As the pandemic reshaped the hospitality landscape, Christopher Cellars adapted quickly—pivoting to virtual wine tastings, curated wine flights to-go, and reimagined wine experiences that allowed the winery to stay connected with its community during an uncertain time.
2021
The Bartholomew Family Vineyards entered a new chapter. Formerly planted primarily to Bordeaux varieties, the estate was replanted with a focus on Italian and Spanish grape varieties better suited to the site and climate. Every clone was hand selected to emphasize balance, structure, and expression of place, while the vineyard transitioned fully to organic farming practices, reinforcing a long-term commitment to sustainability and vineyard health.
2022
Christopher Cellars was honored as Small Business of the Year by the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the winery’s commitment to craftsmanship, community involvement, and local economic impact.
2023
Veteran wine journalist and respected Lodi authority Randy Caparoso published an article recognizing Christopher Cellars as a leader among Lodi’s latest generation of handcrafted, minimal-intervention wineries. Caparoso highlighted the winery’s transparency of place, thoughtful restraint, and site-driven varietal choices, positioning Christopher Cellars among a small group of producers helping redefine modern Lodi through balance, finesse, and authenticity. Read the full article here.
Later that year, Christopher Cellars was voted Best Wine Tasting in Elk Grove by the local community through a competition hosted by the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and Elk Grove Laguna Forums.
2024
Christopher Cellars was voted Best Wine Tasting in Elk Grove for the second consecutive year by the local community through a competition hosted by the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and Elk Grove Laguna Forums. The program concluded in 2024, making the final recognition especially meaningful.
That same year, at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—the largest wine competition in North America—Christopher Cellars earned multiple distinctions, including a Best of Class award. Highlights included:
2022 Grand Cuvée, Lodi – Best of Class
2022 Chardonnay, Lodi – Double Gold
2021 Carignan, Mokelumne River – Gold
2022 Duet Blend, Lodi – Silver
2022 Zinfandel Cuvée – Silver
Wine Enthusiast featured Christopher Cellars in the article “The Best Wineries (and More) to Visit in Lodi Right Now,” recognizing the winery as a standout destination for expressive wines and a welcoming, experience-driven tasting room. Read the full article here.
2025
Christopher Cellars was invited to participate in Terra Madre of the Americas in Sacramento, one of the most respected international gatherings dedicated to sustainable food, wine, and agriculture. The invitation recognized the winery’s commitment to organic farming, low-intervention winemaking, and responsible stewardship of land and community. Terra Madre brings together producers, chefs, farmers, and artisans from around the world, making participation both a rare honor and a powerful affirmation of shared values.
That same year, the Elk mural on the Bartholomew Barn was unveiled, becoming a lasting symbol of Christopher Cellars’ connection to Elk Grove, its agricultural roots, and the surrounding vineyards. The Elk represents stewardship of the land, community pride, and the winery’s belief that wine is inseparable from place.
2026
Christopher Cellars was featured in the Slow Wine Guide, one of the most influential global wine guides celebrating authenticity, sustainability, and wines of place. Unlike score-driven publications, Slow Wine selections are based on philosophy, farming practices, and taste.
The wines were personally tasted and evaluated by Mike Dunne, a nationally respected wine journalist and longtime advocate for thoughtful, site-driven California wines. His tasting notes praised the winery’s clarity of expression, balance, and restraint, highlighting the use of native yeasts, minimal oak, and whole-cluster fermentation. Three wines were selected, placing Christopher Cellars among a small group of producers recognized for making wines that are both distinctive and deeply rooted in their vineyards.
Today
Christopher Cellars now produces approximately 3,000 cases annually, remaining intentionally boutique while continuing to grow thoughtfully. The focus remains unchanged: wines of place, genuine hospitality, and a deep commitment to serving and growing alongside the Elk Grove community.
Contact us
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