Santa Maria – 9 generations
Our proprietor, James Ontiveros, represents the ninth generation of the Ontiveros family in California. This dates back to a 1781 land grant within the pueblo of Los Angeles. The family’s roots trace back to La Rioja in Old Spain in the 1500s.
Eventually, James’ fifth great-grandfather, Don Juan Pacifico Ontiveros, and his wife, Doña Martina, moved their extensive farming operation north to Santa Barbara County in search of water and more land. They settled in what would become the town of Santa Maria.
James was born and raised in the Santa Maria Valley, competing in the local rodeo, and raising cattle on his family’s ranch. He later attended California Polytechnic State University, studying agriculture and viticulture. After finishing school, he took many roles in the wine industry while subsequently planting his own vineyard on his home ranch, Rancho Ontiveros. This project led him to from Native9 wines, small terroir driven wines from this small plot of land. He quickly realized a need for broader market wines and thus Alta Maria was born.
James is a highly regarded wine industry veteran with deep roots in the wine community worldwide. His extensive knowledge in vineyards and winemaking, and his strong connections have landed him as a valuable resource for small and large-scale producers throughout the west coast of the United States.
Currently James resides in the Edna Valley with his wife and two children, still deeply connected to the ranching way of life.
“Through struggle and adversity comes triumph, in the poetic weirdness of life.”
JAMES ONTIVEROS -ALTA MARIA WINE