“Dreams are only plans without…action”

“I was never one to sit back as an observer or spectator. When I saw someone ‘doing’, whatever it was, I would only picture myself ‘doing’ that thing. The words above are simply a philosophy that I’ve tried to live by. In the discouragement, I look back to the belief in this driving philosophy that to live life to the fullest is to take on all the challenges of life head-on. Through pain, constant set backs, naysayers, and temporary failures, I find myself hungry for more, hungry to learn, hungry to finish what I’ve started. Daily I agonize over the details. Weekly, I plan for the next step. It’s always 2 steps forward and 1-1 1/2 steps back……but always there is something for me to look back on and see improvement.

Élever Vineyards is the ‘idea’ of excellence ‘realized’ in a product line and brands that exemplify the pursuit of excellence. It literally means ‘to elevate in character’.  My hope and goal is that these brands, as well as my life’s work, inspire others to live a life of pursuing excellence and the improvement of character.   Always flawed in some way, imperfect, but never ceasing to apply this desire to growing and improving.” 

Nicholas Karavidas, Winemaker-Proprietor-Dreamer-Doer

‘‘From the early ‘surf-skate-rat’ days to starting my own brands, 2023 marks the 43rd anniversary of a career that seems like it’s only begun.’’

The best vineyards, the best wines

Over my career, I have dreamed of producing wines from many regions in the US and around the world. Today, I produce wines from the Mokelumne River, Clements Hills, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Sonoma & Napa Valley. In 2018 I began working with a small Pinot Noir vineyard in Sonoma’s Petaluma Gap, a vineyard source that I have been scouting to produce Pinot Noir for 18+ years.

Since then, my sights have expanded to less known and small AVA’s to round out the my career work and better service the style and quality of my clients.

After nearly 40 years, my commitment is to source grapes from ‘passionate’ friends vineyards of which I am blessed and honored to have several great growers in my arsenal. Here’s a snippet of a few current wines in my own portfolio.

• “Élever” Petaluma Gap-Sonoma Pinot Noir - After attending the first annual “World of Pinot Noir” in the central coast of California (2001), I was overwhelmed with a desire to produce world-class Pinot Noir. Engaging with a tasting at that event with Lalou BIZE-LEROY, I knew that approaching this great Burgundian grape in a casual way would not only destroy what I was learning about fine wine production but would degrade my intention to produce world class wines. For 17 years I searched to partner with a vineyard that I could begin the final stage of this quest and came across a small 4 acre site in the Sonoma Coast’s Petaluma Gap. On February 7, 2020 I bottled the first 1,500 bottles of the 2018 Vintage of which I will begin public tasting in MAY 2020."

• “The Narcissist” Paso Robles Red Wine : (thenarcissistwine.com) The idea behind a brand for me is something that should influence more than just a sale but serve a greater purpose. This Paso Robles Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend became the target for what I refer to as “The Antidote” or rather ‘character traits to oppose the common norm of wine personality’. Conversation starter, character change motivator and a blend I agonized over for the entire 2+ years of it’s aging.

• "Zapfino” Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel" - Specifically meant to have fun with the tag line "It's Zinfandel Time" as the driving mantra. Focused on Old Vine Zinfandel from Mokelumne River AVA vineyards I've been producing Zin from for over 15 years.

• “Rabbit Ridge Lodi & Paso Robles O.V.Z Zinfandel” - When Paso Robles Winery Owner Erich Russell asked me to collaborate on an Old Vine Zinfandel, I was blown away that another winery would want to put my name next to their as ‘being honored’ to collaborate. The great history here is that earlier in my career, I went to register those 3 letters, “O.V.Z” for another company but was rejected by the US Patent & Trademark Office. The ‘rejection’ was sent with a copy of “Rabbit Ridge Zindandel O.V.Z.” with the statement that it was a potentially ‘confusing’ mark. I quickly redesigned the brand I had submitted and moved on with an ‘alternative’ trademark application. Now, more than a dozen years later, that company has honored me with a brand that we can both be proud of. Thank you Erich and Joanne Russel!!

• "Mark Nicholas" - Small production regional focus with Meritage & Chardonnay from Napa Valley and Clements Hills SyrahRosé. The intent is very 'regional' regarding intensities originating from "place".

• "Ancient Craft Single Barrel" Old Vine Zinfandel - The name suggests 'maturity, refinement and finesse' which is the ideology behind the wines. Multiple vineyard sources from growers I've been working with for many vintages of which the vineyards are mature and specifically targeted for qualities in my blends. Mokelumne River and Clements Hill AVA's make up for 90% of the sourcing for these wines.

• "GK" - Generosity Mokelumne River & Clements Hills AVA - The brand that brings me back to my roots of producing several 'Alt' varietals such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Sangiovese and Chenin Blanc. It is about producing wines of generous characters and concentration without being overly alcohol or tannic.

• "Distinction Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon & Zinfandel" - Distinction is a brand I created to highlight the unique qualities of the Mokelumne River AVA of Lodi. The Zinfandel is round, plush, plummy and fruit-forward with a focus of American barrel aging for 14 months highlighting an intense sweet vanilla aromatic while the Cabernet exhibits classic anise spice, ripe Santa Rosa plum fruit and lingering juicy finish.

• PNKE Santa Barbara Proprietar “Provence” Style Rosé…..with an attitude! (PNKE.com) Blended with Grenache, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc and a splash of Gewurztraminer lifting the perfumed aromatics and enhancing the textural feel of the red grapes and acidic structure of the Sauvignon Blanc. Blended from Santa Barbara vineyards in the Los Alamos region, this wine expresses the freshness of the California Coast like few wines I’ve produced exclusively for pink wine.

• RedHaus Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon - The ‘trigger’ that pulled me back into brand development. “Once a winemaker, always a winemaker.” On December 24, 2015, I shipped the first 1,000+ cases of a wine that I was asked to produce for a friend. It was a client who wanted a “classic, fruit packed-oak aromatic style that was sure to please any wine lover.” Well, that is the goal with RedHaus and that is what my friends say I’ve accomplished…….I suppose that’s all that is needed.