Don Burns

Don Burns, the founder and winemaker of Turtle Rock Vineyards, is a native of Paso Robles, California, whose life journey reflects a deep connection to the region, its people, and its winemaking traditions. Growing up in Paso Robles, Don witnessed the area’s slow but steady transformation into a major wine-producing region. Though the wine industry hadn’t fully taken root during his early years, his uncle, Tom Westberg, became a pioneer in the mid-1980s, establishing Westberg Cellars. It was through his uncle’s efforts that Don first became intrigued by winemaking, a passion that would later define his career.

To lay the foundation for his winemaking aspirations, Don pursued a degree in agricultural business at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. After graduating, however, Don set out on a different kind of adventure. He spent time traveling, mainly by sailboat, around Central America, before settling in Palm Beach, Florida. There, he worked in fine dining, which reignited his passion for wine, particularly the rich and bold varietals from the Rhône Valley in southern France. It was also during this time that Don met his wife, Claudia, who would become his business partner in their winemaking journey.

In 2007, Don and Claudia returned to Paso Robles, which had evolved into a more mature and sophisticated wine region. Don reconnected with his high school friend, Justin Smith, who had founded Saxum Winery and was rapidly gaining recognition for producing world-class wines. Justin’s 2007 Rhône blend even earned the coveted Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year award. Working alongside Justin gave Don invaluable experience in sustainable winemaking practices, using organic and chemical-free methods that were gaining critical acclaim.

Around the same time, Don’s uncle offered him the opportunity to revive Westberg Cellars. Although grateful for this chance, Don quickly realized that his own winemaking style was taking him in a different direction. He began accepting grapes from Justin as part of his compensation, focusing on the Rhône varietals he had come to love. These grapes came from Saxum’s renowned James Berry Vineyard, an elevated plot known for its unique blend of shale and limestone soils. These grapes were the beginning of something new—Turtle Rock Vineyards.

Named after the local limestone formations that resemble turtle shells, Turtle Rock Vineyards officially took off with its debut release of the 2011 James Berry Maturin. This wine quickly made waves, earning a 92-point rating from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. As the years progressed, Don continued to impress critics, with both his 2016 and 2017 Maturin blends receiving 99 points from wine critic Jeb Dunnuck. The 2017 Maturin even secured a spot as number five on Dunnuck’s list of top 100 wines, cementing Turtle Rock’s reputation as one of Paso Robles’ top producers. The emotional significance of this recognition hit home when Don’s wife Claudia shed tears of joy, marking a special moment in their journey.

Turtle Rock Vineyards’ rise to prominence continued with the 2019 G2 Syrah, which earned a perfect 100-point score, a milestone achievement for Don and his team. Today, Don remains deeply committed to his craft, working alongside his family to handle every aspect of the winemaking process—from planting and harvesting to bookkeeping and label design.

For Don Burns, winemaking is more than just a profession; it’s a labor of love, deeply rooted in the rich soils and sun-kissed vineyards of Paso Robles. With every bottle produced, Turtle Rock Vineyards honors the land, the people, and the traditions of this remarkable region, while always looking ahead to what the future holds for their family-owned business.