Local Family, Local Wine
scroll
Celebrating Differences
is What This Central Coast Winemaker is All About
To some, “ragtag” can mean a band of mismatched things forming a competent whole. But ragtag also signifies a diversity where the whole is better served by the group’s individual differences. Knowing this definition made ragtag the perfect name for sister-brother team Sarah Brewer and Jeff Huskey’s eclectic small batch winery, Ragtag Wine Co.
Ragtag Wine Co. handcrafts small batch, single-vineyard wines that possess a depth and expressiveness reflective of California’s varied and vital Central Coast terroir. Only sourcing the highest-quality grapes from local vineyards that best personify Central Coast AVAs, Ragtag produces wines that are sui generis and meant to be joyfully shared with family and friends. Fun, inviting and always unique, Ragtag wines showcase what’s possible when obsessive care meets creative passion.
“We constantly strive for perfection in all we do,” says winemaker Jeff Huskey, “a concept that’s never quite attainable, but always deserves our foremost efforts.”
Ragtag’s story begins in San Luis Obispo, where Sarah Brewer was a budding local entrepreneur and younger brother Jeff was graduating from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in Wine and Viticulture, with an Enology concentration. Together, they dreamed of doing something special that combined their talents, one that could serve as a love letter to the wine region they adored.
“The goal was not to just create a winery,” Sarah recalls, “but to do something meaningful.”
Wine had long been a passion of both Sarah and Jeff. While Jeff was in school, Sarah was quietly formulating the concept behind Ragtag — a winery that promised fun, eclectic wines realized through dedication to the craft and a perfectionist mindset. Tired of pretentious wines but captivated by the potential beauty of winemaking done right, Sarah and Jeff — along with Sarah’s husband, Deron, himself a businessman in SLO for 20 years — knew they shared the gifts that could make Ragtag Wine Co. a standout of the region. By 2017, they’d built their production facility and celebrated their first harvest. Ragtag Wine Co. was off and running.
Handmade, Thoughtful, Small-Batch Wines
Today, Sarah exercises the business savvy and creative flair that’s growing their fledgling brand while Jeff handles everything from grape to bottle. Theirs is an extremely personal process where every element — from the sleek, stylish bottle design to the thoughtful, delicious wines themselves — is hand-touched and considered. Their passion has paid off; Ragtag has already won three top awards in the annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including Best of Class for their Petite Sirah and two Double Golds.
Ragtag’s unique wines are a product of their unique sourcing methodology. Paying attention to the little things — a popular mantra around these parts — begins with sourcing grapes from local vineyards. Typically, Jeff sources varietals from anywhere between the Edna Valley and Monterey, but occasionally something attracts his eye from a bit farther out. Understanding that even within the same region, varietals can differ mightily is part of the charm, and challenge, of sourcing in this manner. But Jeff and Sarah wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We believe the world would be quite boring if we all were the same, that it’s our differences that makes us interesting,” Sarah says. “A bottle of wine from Ragtag Wine Co. is no different. Like the humans who drink them, no two are exactly alike.”
And like the winemaker who crafts them, Ragtag wines are honest and welcoming. A visit to Ragtag’s downtown SLO tasting room or their urban winery proves as much, where visitors can gather their own ragtag band of merrymakers and enjoy expressive sips of the best wines Ragtag has on offer.
This year’s vintages include Burgundian, Bordeaux, and Rhone style reds. Lush, eclectic, and tantalizing, these reds hail from iconic Central Coast vineyards and were masterfully crafted by Jeff in Ragtag’s small batch facility. This dynamic yet approachable class features an unexpected 2017 Meritage, a double gold winner at last year’s SommCon Concours d’Vin in San Diego, and a 2018 Pinot Noir crafted exclusively of grapes from the immaculate Greengate Ranch vineyard. This covetable single-vineyard vintage won the double gold at the 2023 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.
For whites, Ragtag is proud to offer the gold winner of the 2022 Denver Int. Wine Comp., a light- to medium-bodied 2018 Chardonnay alive with notes of caramel and brown butter pears. Also on offer is their 2019 Albariño, a platinum winner at the Las Vegas Global Wine Awards and a Best of AVA winner at the Harvest Terrior Challenge in Sonoma.
By StoryStudio on March 15, 2023
SPONSORED BY Ragtag wine co
- Sarah Brewer, Co-Founder
We believe the world would be quite boring if we all were the same, that it’s our differences that makes us interesting. A bottle of wine from Ragtag Wine Co. is no different. "
Making small-batch wines allows Ragtag to take the utmost care while overseeing the development of each grape varietal.
The Best Way to Enjoy Ragtag Wines
The ultimate way to experience everything Ragtag has to offer is by becoming a member of Ragtag Wine Co.’s inviting membership club. With small batch wines like Ragtag’s — once a wine is gone, it’s gone forever — member perks loom large. Ragtag members get guaranteed access to each edition of Ragtag wine so you never miss out on a single unique wine. Members enjoy complimentary tastings and healthy discounts on bottles.
For members thirsting for a deep dive, Ragtag’s Cellar Pass provides VIP access complete with a meet-and-greet with Jeff at the winemaking facility where he’ll explain the careful curation and diligent production that goes into each and every bottle of Ragtag. Featuring two membership tiers — the Dreamer and the Gatherer — the Ragtag membership club offers flexibility for any budget.
Experience is made up of individual moments. Friends and families of individual characters. And Ragtag wines of individually sourced varietals. Celebrate uniqueness, savor the unexpected, and enjoy whatever life sends your way with a glass of wine in your hand: that’s the Ragtag way. Learn more about their one-of-a-kind offerings at ragtagwineco.com or schedule a visit to their tasting room in charming downtown SLO.
Shop Award-Winning Wines
2017 Meritage
2018 Pinot noir
2018 Chardonnay
2019 ALBARIÑO
Plan Your Visit
Winery Tasting Room
Off-the-beaten-path, Ragtag's urban winery is uniquely located at the edge of city limits and close to many of its partner vineyards.
Downtown SLO Tasting Room
Enjoy a tasting of the diverse and expressive wines. Wine by the bottle and by the glass available as well.
Make a reservation
Make a reservation
Local Family, Local Wine
Celebrating Differences
is What This Central Coast Winemaker is All About
To some, “ragtag” can mean a band of mismatched things forming a competent whole. But ragtag also signifies a diversity where the whole is better served by the group’s individual differences. Knowing this definition made ragtag the perfect name for sister-brother team Sarah Brewer and Jeff Huskey’s eclectic small batch winery, Ragtag Wine Co.
Ragtag Wine Co. handcrafts small batch, single-vineyard wines that possess a depth and expressiveness reflective of California’s varied and vital Central Coast terroir. Only sourcing the highest-quality grapes from local vineyards that best personify Central Coast AVAs, Ragtag produces wines that are sui generis and meant to be joyfully shared with family and friends. Fun, inviting and always unique, Ragtag wines showcase what’s possible when obsessive care meets creative passion.
“We constantly strive for perfection in all we do,” says winemaker Jeff Huskey, “a concept that’s never quite attainable, but always deserves our foremost efforts.”
Ragtag’s story begins in San Luis Obispo, where Sarah Brewer was a budding local entrepreneur and younger brother Jeff was graduating from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in Wine and Viticulture, with an Enology concentration. Together, they dreamed of doing something special that combined their talents, one that could serve as a love letter to the wine region they adored.
“The goal was not to just create a winery,” Sarah recalls, “but to do something meaningful.”
Wine had long been a passion of both Sarah and Jeff. While Jeff was in school, Sarah was quietly formulating the concept behind Ragtag — a winery that promised fun, eclectic wines realized through dedication to the craft and a perfectionist mindset. Tired of pretentious wines but captivated by the potential beauty of winemaking done right, Sarah and Jeff — along with Sarah’s husband, Deron, himself a businessman in SLO for 20 years — knew they shared the gifts that could make Ragtag Wine Co. a standout of the region. By 2017, they’d built their production facility and celebrated their first harvest. Ragtag Wine Co. was off and running.
Today, Sarah exercises the business savvy and creative flair that’s growing their fledgling brand while Jeff handles everything from grape to bottle. Theirs is an extremely personal process where every element — from the sleek, stylish bottle design to the thoughtful, delicious wines themselves — is hand-touched and considered. Their passion has paid off; Ragtag has already won three top awards in the annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including Best of Class for their Petite Sirah and two Double Golds.
Shop Award-Winning Wines
2017 Meritage
2018 Pinot noir
2018 Chardonnay
2019 ALBARIÑO
Ragtag’s unique wines are a product of their unique sourcing methodology. Paying attention to the little things — a popular mantra around these parts — begins with sourcing grapes from local vineyards. Typically, Jeff sources varietals from anywhere between the Edna Valley and Monterey, but occasionally something attracts his eye from a bit farther out. Understanding that even within the same region, varietals can differ mightily is part of the charm, and challenge, of sourcing in this manner. But Jeff and Sarah wouldn’t have it any other way.
Making small-batch wines allows Ragtag to take the utmost care while overseeing the development of each grape varietal.
By StoryStudio on March 15, 2023
Handmade, Thoughtful, Small-Batch Wines