Like many children raised in Iskenderun Turkey, Nebil “Bilo” Zarif’s introduction to fine wine began at a young age. It became a lifelong education that has developed into a way of living. His passion for fine and rare wines began in France where he was introduced to the regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone Valley while studying in Paris.

Later when Zarif would come to settle in the states he directed his wine interests towards the prestigious wineries of Napa. During a visit to Napa Valley and the Robert Mondavi's Winery in 1984, Zarif had purchased several reserve wines for his collection. In 1994, Zarif acquired 300 acres of land in the Cuyama Valley, a serene high elevation region of Santa Barbara County. Over the course of seven years he would expand Barnwood Vineyards to encompass more than 2,000 acres with 800 acres planted to vine. It was during this same period that Zarif’s passion for wine would lead him to acquire the renowned Maison Deutz winery in San Luis Obispo County with a partner he had met in the energy industry. Together they expanded this property to approximately 800 acres of mostly Pinot Noir planted ahead of the pinot craze and raised the stature of their Pinot Noir bearing the name Laetitia Vineyard & Winery.

In 2001 Zarif sold his interests in Barnwood/ Laetitia to pursue new and exciting possibilities, most notably Summerland Winery. Drawing upon years of experience in the region, Summerland is dedicated to offering the best of the wine producing areas spanning from Santa Barbara to Monterey.