Layne Craig of 40 Knots winery reflects on the last 10 years
Layne Robert Craig, Owner
an interview with Carl
Layne is celebrating his 11th year in the industry, Layne has two loves: his wife, Brenda, and his mistress—the grapes. Layne listens to his mistress with devotion, taking her orders directly and ensuring every whim is met. You’ll often find him interrupting cellar time for impromptu tours. His mission? Keep the workload light, because when you trust the grapes, they make the perfect wine on their own. Layne’s here to ensure everything runs smoothly (and get a taste test along the way). Media Inquiries: brenda@40knotswinery.com | /
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
At 40 Knots, we stay true to our roots—literally and figuratively. Our name reflects the fierce coastal winds and the stall speed of my plane (my favorite flying moment, while my wife Brenda is screaming in the front passenger seat!). We honor traditional farming and winemaking, crafting wines as serious and beautiful as our label suggests. But behind the scenes? We’re a knotty, adventurous crew who play as hard as we work. Whether we’re tending the vines, losing spectacularly in softball, or “quality testing” the bubbles a bit too much, we bring joy and laughter to everything we do. Each sip of our wine is a bold celebration of nature, craftsmanship, and the cheeky spirit of our fun-loving team.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained. Sky’s the limit!
If there were no limits, we’d go all in and plant a ridiculous amount of Pinot Noir, letting it rule the vineyard like the diva it is. Every single berry would get the royal treatment, fermenting and aging only in amphora because, let’s face it, nothing else captures the essence quite like it. Picture a massive underground glass cellar, 14 feet deep and a mile long, where guests can spy on the glacier till soil and roots that look like something from a sci-fi film. We’d age wines for 20 years or more, just to make our future selves proud. With endless staff on hand, we’d spend our days hanging out with our incredible customers, drinking and laughing together until the sun sets (and maybe a little after that, too). The sky’s not just the limit—we’re aiming for the stars, baby.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Without question, it’s our Pinot Noir—a wine that every winemaker measures themselves against. I’ve always thought of Pinot as a woman: delicate, demanding, and a healer, offering more medicinal properties than any other red grape. But once she becomes wine, she takes on a masculine side—full of structure, sophistication, and mystery, like a suave 007. At 40 Knots, we respect the Pinot. You don’t fight her in the vineyard or cellar—Pinot is the boss. She’s allowed to be what she’s destined to be: an oceanside Pinot, a true reflection of our natural winemaking style. Stay tuned for this wine review, coming soon!
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about your brand?
The one thing that surprises people about 40 Knots Vineyard is that yes, we do have a vineyard, and yes, our grapes thrive! Despite being in Canada, we’re far from the igloos many envision. Instead, we have sandy beaches, rainforest-like hiking trails, and a microclimate where Pinot Noir flourishes. It’s not the cold, snowy tundra you might expect—it’s a stunning coastal haven that’s perfect for growing beautiful fruit.
about Carl
I don’t have any superpowers when it comes to wine, but I do have access, a mild obsession, an interest in visiting wine regions, and a love for storytelling. Wine people have some great stories to tell.
For 15 years as a publicist in the wine business, I have pitched, cajoled, and collaborated with the Wine Media. It has taken me to this place: wanting to share the compelling stories of winemakers by providing writers with a source of useful story ideas.
I have written wine industry articles for Wine Business Monthly, Wine Industry Network, Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine, The Grapevine Magazine, and Oregon Wine Press, and have had a Wine Writer Interview Series on Wine Industry Advisor for over 5 years.
I also write freelance wine and travel articles for Winetraveler, Food Wine Travel Magazine (IFWTWA (International Food Wine Travel Writers Association), Wander With Wonder, and The Vintner Project.
Author Pages: https://linktr.ee/carlgiavanti
