Page 10 - Sarita Maybin

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

N NOVEMBER 28, Southern California opening a winery and the best of a selection Koi Zen Winery
O2017, Lisa and Dar- family. Darius and Lisa she happily agreed. It of fields. Koi Zen buys is an intimate and
ius Miller will celebrat- shared one common was something they their grapes from the welcoming place to go
ed their 30th wedding passion, beside their had prepared for and Northern California, and spend an evening
anniversary. What do twins that is, that the Millers decided to the Santa Barbara, Paso with friends, or better
you give your spouse passion was wine. They ‘go for it’. Robles, area. Once the yet, with that special
for a 30th anniversary spent hours watching On April 25, 2015, grapes are selected, someone. For $20 you
present? videos, taking classes Koi Zen Cellars opened they are destemmed, can try 5 wines in a
Lisa was raised together, going to wine its’ doors in Carmel fermented and pressed tasting flight plus get
in Pennsylvania, the tasting events, and Mountain Ranch, for- together, and put in a a glass of your favorite
5th of 7 children so, many hours discussing merly known as Pho- barrel to age. This pro- wine. This craft winery
she learned the art when it came time to tography by Lisa K. Koi cess gives Koi Zen, the has a tasting room and
of survival. Her father retire, they would retire Zen is a craft winery, ability to create their a gift shop that offers
died when Lisa was into the wine industry. which is like any other own blends of wine. ‘all things’ about wine.
raising 7 kids; a daunt- Our Dream Came True that has just been de-
There is also an area
just 13, and her mother
became a single mom
veloped by the Millers,
ing thought! which can accommo-
After earning her By Carol Heath date about 125 people,
degree in college, Lisa for private parties,
taught Home Econom- small weddings, and
ics for 6 years, married meetings.
Darius, had twin girls, If you are like me,
and moved from Penn- you are probably
sylvania to California wondering why name
for a job opportunity a craft winery, Koi Zen.
that Darius could not Lisa was kind enough
turn down. As a young to relay that Darius
mother newly relocated built a small koi pond
in Southern California, in their back yard. They
Lisa wanted to become made this area a place
active in the commu- where Lisa and Darius
nity. She enrolled in could relax, meditate,
Palomar Community or just have a relaxing
College in San Marcos. glass of wine. They
There, she concentrated called it their ‘zen’ spot,
on learning more about ergo, Koi Zen was chris-
one of her passions, tened and their dream
photography. Being a came into fruition.
photographer allowed Photo Courtesy of Lisa K. Miller Remember I asked
Lisa the time she want- what you would give
ed to spend with her Life gives us chal- winery you’ve been to, Koi is known for its’ red your spouse as a gift for
twin daughters being lenges when we least it just doesn’t have a blends and Malbec is your 30th anniversary?
an active participant in expect them, and the vineyard, and is usually arguably their best and Well, Darius gave Lisa
their lives. Millers were about to located in an industrial most popular red wine. something very special,
Darius was working get one of those chal- park or a commercial This craft winery has he created ‘Lot 1187’!
in corporate America lenges when at the age space. In just 2 short produced some 2800 What a romantic this
in a high stress job of 51, Darius suffered a years, Koi Zen Cellars, cases of wine in 2017, guy is, can you imagine
and seemed to be stroke from stress and was voted #1 Local not bad for a couple having a wine created
thriving. Lisa opened high blood pressure. Winery, by the readers of kids from Pennsyl- to celebrate your special
a photography studio After some soul-search- of the San Diego Union vania. day some 30 years ago?
and her business was ing Darius declared he Tribune.
slowly growing. The was not going to go One advantage to Koi Zen Cellars, 12225 World Trade Drive, Suite P,
twins were growing, as back to the stress of a craft winery is that San Diego, California.
kids have a tendency corporate America. He you are not limited to Visit www.KoiZenCellars.com for hours, events
to do. The Millers were told Lisa he wanted to just one field of grapes, and photos.
the picture of a typical pursue the dream of instead you can buy

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