Brian Kosi

Brian pursued all aspects of his life with a shotgun intensity and angler’s persistence. An avid outdoorsman, Brian’s happy place was anywhere in nature. The mountains uplifted him, the trees were his canopy, the lakes and streams his sanctuary.

His camping trips to Rock Creek with his dad, brothers, uncles, and cousins provided the foundation to a lifelong love of loading up the van with gear, multiple coolers of food and heading up to the lake for kayaking, fishing and just enjoying each other’s company. Whether at the campground, his home or any event, Brian’s joy was ensuring that everyone ate well. His happy place was at the grill, stove or a self-made prep station where Brian would prepare dinners that were simply out of this world. An impeccable and gracious host, Brian ensured that all guests were always treated to a good time with the freshest, highest quality of foods (often straight from his garden) and a presentation that would rival Martha Stewart. Few have a collection of tiny serving spoons and vintage elegant stemware like Brian!

Growing up in Newport Beach, Brian would find solitude in the Back Bay, observing the migratory birds, collecting frogs and simply exploring the coastal wetland. He reminisced joyfully about his home on Francisco Drive, the central grounds where all friends and neighbors were welcome. The BMX bike and skate ramp that he built with his brothers John and Tim along with their dad in the backyard were some of his fondest memories. Yet Brian could traverse roles as quiet and introspective to wild and impulsive when the occasion called. He was equally happy identifying the song of a Belding’s Savannah sparrow and doing donuts on the Boys Club field as a teen. His joy were his close friendships and teammates in football, soccer, baseball, Lacrosse, and ice hockey. These bonds delighted him and sustained him through the toughest of times.

While in college at Chapman, Brian played Lacrosse and majored in business. Always proud of his Slovenian culture, Brian learned of his family’s history in winemaking. He was inspired by his love of the crafting fine wine and his desire to make a lifelong career doing what he loved. He attended the UC Davis School of Viticulture and Enology. Following graduation, his career took him to Acacia, Opus One, Plumpjack, BV and Freemark Abbey.

A spirited winemaker, Brian poured his heart and soul into his work. Though he never considered his job “work”. He took great pride in winemaking and honored the contributions of all the talented and dedicated folks who are vital to getting the wine to table.

His greatest love was his daughter, Sawyer. He was over-the-moon, in the deepest and most thrilling love and truly smitten with the light of his life.

Survived by his daughter, Sawyer, his niece Heidi, his niece Hannah, nephew Dylan, nephew Josh, niece Saila, brother John, sister-in-law Diana, brother Tim and mother Jenny, Brian is dearly missed and loved. He inspires us to be bold and pursue our dreams. We aspire to be organized, detail-oriented and cultivate the soil with care. We recognize the beauty that surrounds us and rejoice in the Wilson’s Warblers that arrive in Napa in the spring time.

Donations can be made to Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (www.friendsnapaanimals.org), Napa Humane (napahumane.org), Napa Wildlife Rescue (napawildliferescue.org), Rubicon Trail Foundation (rubicontrailfoundation.com) and Napa Green (napagreen.org).