Bion found his passion for winemaking after the Rice family opened Sunstone Vineyards & Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1994. During multiple harvests and training under Daniel Gehrs, who taught him how to blend wines to achieve balance, grace, and power, Bion’s obsession for blending wines began. With a heightened appreciation for art and the art of blending wine, Bion’s palate and eagerness to be more creative led him to the formation of his separate wine label – Artiste in 2002. Along with soccer, school and prepping for college – his children, Miles (13) and Mason (11) assist with harvest and the blending of two wines named after them – “Milestone” and “Mason Cuvee”. His wife, Anna, leads the creative efforts for both Sunstone and Artiste, in addition to the daily life of the Rice family! Keeping it a family owned business, Bion is CEO and Winemaker for both wineries.