Dan Kosta
Founder, Kosta Browne
Founder, Convene
Dan Kosta has over 20 years of experience in the Sonoma County wine industry, specifically as THE leading producer of ultra-premium California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A native son of Sonoma wine country, Dan’s lifelong love of food and wine led him to a career in the restaurant industry, utilizing skills learned as a child to navigate through a series of world class restaurants as a back waiter, waiter, bartender, maître d’, operations manager and finally as wine director at the acclaimed John Ash & Company in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. It was there that Dan and his business partner Michael Browne founded Kosta Browne Winery in 1997. As a founder of Kosta Browne, he oversaw an unprecedented marketing program that included never before seen growth in Direct-to-Consumer sales, as well as managing a nation-wide distribution network.
Dan's accomplishments and contributions to the American wine industry are numerous. From industry volunteerism to children's advocacy philanthropy, Dan continues to leverage his network for giving back to community through Convene. Some of Dan's past and ongoing accomplishments:
• Chairman, 2016 Sonoma County Wine Auction
• Board member, Sonoma County Vintners Association
• Board member, Emeril Lagasse Foundation
• Board member, Sonoma County Harvest Fair
• Trustee, Destin Charity Wine Auction
• Board member, Family Winemakers of California
• Panelist, multiple industry trade shows and symposiums
• Wine judge, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, San Francisco Chronicle
• Citrus Fair, San Francisco Wine Competition, among many others.