Our Story
Our wines are rooted in gratitude and family. Scroll through the timeline below to see where and how it all began.
Joseph “Josh” Carr Is Born
Joseph “Josh” Carr is born in Vermont to modest means. He leaves high school at the age of 17 to work on the Rutland Railroad, sending his paychecks home to his mother.
Josh Marries Jean
As a young adult, Josh marries Jean. Shortly thereafter, he’s drafted into the military where he serves two years before returning home to work as a lumberjack and volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Berlin, NY.
Joseph Carr is Born
Joseph Carr and his twin sister, Lisa, are born. Josh instilled the importance of family and hard work into his kids from a young age. Many years later, Joseph Carr would apply these same values in creating Josh Cellars.
Joseph Carr’s Wine Journey Begins
Joseph ventures from his home in Upstate NY to Napa, CA where he discovers a love of wine.
Joseph’s First Job
Joseph begins working at the Big Tree Inn in Upstate New York, starting as a busboy and working his way up to waiter and eventually, a wine steward.
Joseph Carr Marries Dee
Joseph Carr marries his wife Dee, who he met on a blind date. They were married for 28 years.
Following the Dream
Joseph decides to pursue his dream of starting his own wine brand, quitting his corporate job to work for himself. “My wife Dee and I opened up a bottle of wine and stayed up until 3 in the morning talking about it. The next day, I quit my job,” Joseph says.
Launch of Joseph Carr Wines
Joseph Carr’s first wine brand is released, featuring premium Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.
Josh Cellars is Born
Joseph Carr begins working on the first vintage of Josh Cellars with legendary Sonoma winemaker Tom Larson.
How it All Started
Joseph Carr begins selling Josh out of the back of his truck. In the beginning, he only made one wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, but soon thereafter began making a Josh Chardonnay for his wife, Dee. From day one, proceeds from Josh Cellars have been donated to various military, veteran, and firefighter groups.
Gaining Recognition
Josh Cellars begins to take off, selling 1 million cases by 2015.
Finding A Home
Joseph Carr partners with Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits to market and sell Josh Cellars and Joseph Carr wines.
Building A Portfolio of Wines
Over the next few years, the Josh Cellars portfolio begins to grow and expand, adding a Merlot, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. The brand begins to take off, eventually scaling to 1 million cases in annual sales in 2015.
Josh Cellars Reserve is Born
Inspired by his father’s work ethic and commitment to high standards, Joseph launches Josh Cellars Reserve, a collection of fine wines from premium vineyards in California’s North Coast and Paso Robles regions.
Introducing Josh Cellars Prosecco
Inspired by his love for Italy, Joseph Carr partners with the Pozzi family to create Josh Cellars Prosecco, our first sparkling wine offering.
Family of Wines
Today, Josh Cellars features 10 varietals and a premium Reserve collection of wines.
Winery of the Year
Josh Cellars named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Making well-balanced wine takes hard work, but my dad wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Joseph Carr Founder, Josh Cellars
