Los Angeles doesn’t chase wine trends—it adopts philosophies. And right now, the city is quietly falling for Dancing Wines, a Sonoma-based label founded by a mother–daughter team who believe wine should feel less like a test and more like an invitation.
Behind the brand are Cynthia Russell and Lauren Russell, whose approach to winemaking rejects intimidation, embraces play, and treats flavor as part of a larger sensory experience. In a city that values joy, accessibility, and gathering over hierarchy, Dancing Wines is speaking L.A.’s language—fluently.
Today’s conversation with the dynamic Mother / Daughter team Cynthia and Lauren Russell from Dancing Wines ha been edited for length and clarity.
For the full, un-edited conversation, visit our YouTube channel here.
Wine Without the Anxiety
Lauren Russell doesn’t talk about wine like an insider—and that’s intentional.
“We’re trying to create a product and an experience that brings people together and invites them to find their inner dance.”
Lauren Russell
That ethos comes from watching entire generations hesitate at wine lists, worried about saying the wrong thing or choosing incorrectly.
“You can’t drink wine when your mouth is full of adjectives.”
That line lands hard in Los Angeles, where food and wine culture thrives—but only when it’s unpretentious. Dancing Wines isn’t asking drinkers to decode tasting notes. It’s asking them to enjoy themselves.
A Vineyard With 150 Years of Memory
The Russells’ entry into wine wasn’t strategic—it was accidental.
What began as a pandemic-era family purchase turned into stewardship of a historic vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, where Zinfandel vines have been growing for more than a century.
“We never intended to make wine and yet we were scared to let this history and heritage die,”
Cynthia
The land had been cared for by a single Italian owner for decades, part of a region built by multi-generational families who treated Zinfandel as both livelihood and legacy.
“We made a great discovery,”
Cynthia says.
“You don’t have to be an expert on wine. You just have to have great soil and a great climate.”
That realization reshaped everything.
Zinfandel, Reimagined
Dancing Wines launched with an intentional rosé—and not as an afterthought.
“We harvested [the Primitivo] early and intentionally for rosé,”
Lauren explains.
“It has this really beautiful distinct, watermelon, almost Jolly Rancher aroma… playful and full, but also dry.”
It worked. The rosé became a breakout debut.
From there came the red wine trio: three limited releases designed not as marketing SKUs, but as a study of land.
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Old Vine Zinfandel — from the estate’s oldest head-trained vines; the deepest, moodiest, most concentrated expression
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Estate (Primitivo) — lighter, brighter, more restrained
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Duo — a blend of the two, revealing how harmony emerges from contrast
“People say Zinfandel is like a map of the land,” Lauren says.
“I think that’s really true here.”
Unlike many traditional Zinfandels, these wines are picked earlier—lower alcohol, less jammy, more food-friendly.
“Our wines are chillable,” Cynthia notes
“Super easy to eat with most any food—especially ethnic food, spicy food.”
This matters in Los Angeles.
Food Pairings That Make Sense in Real Life
Forget fragile pairings.
“A burgundy is usually killed instantly by those kinds of flavors,”
Cynthia says of…
spice, sweet-and-sour, and bold seasoning.
“Ours is not fragile.”
Lauren’s favorites are refreshingly honest:
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Rosé with oysters or seafood
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Sparkling wine with a burger
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Zinfandel with Thanksgiving food
“It speaks to the hominess in our story. Bringing everyone around the table.”
Also: pizza. Always pizza.
Sparkling Wines and the Future of the Brand
Two sparkling wines are on the way—one early-release pét-nat, one more traditional and aged.
“One is going to be lighter, more effervescent… geared towards the younger generation,”
Lauren explains.
“The other will have that toastier champagne flavor.”
The releases mirror the brand itself: playful and grounded. Modern and respectful.
This same philosophy extends beyond wine. Dancing Wines is developing a collection of sensory brands—taste, touch, aroma—designed to transport people into the vineyard experience without requiring them to be there.
“We have to bring people here in some way,”
Lauren says
“Differently than just having them taste the wine.”
Why Los Angeles Gets It
Sonoma, like Zinfandel, has always lived slightly in Napa’s shadow.
“It has this underdog energy,”
Lauren says
“One of the hidden gems.”
That energy resonates deeply in Los Angeles—a city that champions outsiders, reinvention, and pleasure without permission.
According to Sonoma County Winegrowers, modern wine consumers are increasingly driven by experience and approachability rather than prestige alone—a shift Dancing Wines embodies instinctively. https://sonomawinegrowers.org
Mini FAQ for Dancing Wines
Q: Where is Dancing Wines located?
A: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County.
Q: What wines does Dancing Wines produce?
A: An intentional rosé, a three-wine Zinfandel red trio (Old Vine, Estate, Duo), and forthcoming sparkling wines.
Q: How can I follow or purchase Dancing Wines?
A: Visit wearedancing.com or follow @DancingSonoma on Instagram.
Dancing Wines isn’t trying to impress you. It’s trying to include you. And that’s exactly why Los Angeles is paying attention. With old vines, modern instincts, and a philosophy rooted in joy rather than judgment, Cynthia and Lauren Russell are proving that wine doesn’t need explanation—it needs connection. The rest, like dancing, comes naturally.
Love this conversation. Incredible winemaking duo. Gotta taste their wines now