Founders & Owners – Lisa & Darius
Over the years we continued to learn about wine, where it grew, and how it was produced. But living in PA we had limited opportunities. That changed when we moved to San Diego in 1997 and our appreciation and access to wine greatly increased. Slowly a dream formed of owning a winery one day.
After years of corporate life and raising children – life threw us a curveball and we had to rethink our lives. After months of soul searching, we realized our dream of building a winery and opened Koi Zen Cellars in April 2015. Our friends and family thought we were crazy, but we wanted to “follow a passion and not a paycheck.”
Over the years we have learned much about life, family, friends, service, determination, gratitude, and vision and we thank you for sharing your time with us.
Cheers,
Lisa & Darius Miller
Tasting Room Team
Lisa Miller
COO & Owner
Lisa is the creative spark at Koi Zen Cellars and her talent is sprinkled throughout the winery, from photography, promotions, merchandising, and social media images. She is a people person who always loves chatting and sharing life’s stories.
Her sincerity, generosity, and easy nature make people feel at home and welcome.
She constantly strives to get to know each guest and member. She is driven to create an exceptional experience for anyone she interacts with. She constantly teases her husband saying, “Darius makes the wine and I do everything else.”
Production Team
Darius Miller
CEO u0026amp; Winemaker/Author/MotivatorAfter 17 years, he left the high-stress corporate environment as a military contractor and refocused his energies on establishing the winery Koi Zen Cellars located in San Diego, CA. This had been a long-time dream where he “wanted to follow his passion and not a paycheck. The motto of the winery “Uncork, Sip Back and Relax.” He is a winemaker, author, public speaker, educator, minister, and produces a weekly blog focused on wine, education mixed in with personal development and motivational themes.
Dane Taylor
Assistant Winemakeru003cbru003eDane grew up in San Diego but decided to explore Viticulture even in high school. He studied Viticulture and Enology in Santa Rosa prior to joining Radio Couteau winery for their 2009 harvest. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThen he supported Martinelli Family Vineyards for the next season to hone his skills and learned large-scale wine production techniques. He eventually moved back to his roots where he became a Licensed Massage Therapist and instructor. One day he wandered into Koi Zen and the lure of the winery pulled him in, where he continues to hone his craft of winemaking.
Steve Briggs
Assistant WinemakerSteve began his lifetime wine adventure in the normal manner – by drinking. Steve learned a “bunch” from his wine studies but wasn’t able to get any hands-on training that he desired to fully understand wine. That all changed when he first visited Koi Zen Cellars for the first time. This is where he had the opportunity to develop his hands-on training. Eventually, he become the Assistant Winemaker. He is involved in all aspects of wine production from exploratory trips to wine country to the final product. And he still considers himself “retired”
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”
Buddha