John and Kim first met when John hired Kim to design a house for his family in Cayucos.  Together in 2005 and 2006 they made their first vintages of Syrah garage wine from the Hovannisian vineyard.  In 2007 they created ALMESA winery.  The name ALMESA was created by using the first 2 letters of each of John and Karens’ children, Alex, Megan and Sara.