In the spring of 1989, Claudia and Bob Klindt were traveling through the Anderson Valley during a weekend trip. At the time, Bob, who was employed as a social worker in Santa Clara County, had already demonstrated winemaking prowess with several prizewinning homemade wines. Somewhere near the rural community of Philo, surrounded by Anderson Valley's vineyards and conifer and oak covered hills, they discovered a home and 20 acres for sale. The property was offered by Anderson Valley wine pioneer Milla Handley and included an assortment of winemaking equipment. The Klindts had dreamt of leaving the fast pace of city life, and it didn't take long for ideas to spring. By the fall of that year, the Klindts had sold their San Jose home, purchased Milla’s old property, and Claudia Springs Winery was born.