DJ Bilsky

Sandhi Winemaker

DJ was born and raised in New Jersey by a family who believed in the importance of food. Wherever their busy lives took them, a meal at the end of the day brought the family together, which he took to heart. This led to DJ’s first job at a fine dining restaurant, juggling responsibilities as a prep cook, back waiter, and assistant to the pastry chef. Design was another interest, so he pursued architecture, studio art, and environmental studies in college and after graduation. Through it all, though, DJ remained drawn to food, so much so that he returned to the very same restaurant where he started. This second stint sparked his interest in wine. Customers would bring fine wines from their own cellars, which the staff, including DJ, could taste and discuss. He knew he wanted to learn more. Working for one of the best wine retailers in New Jersey — where he developed his palate and his understanding of wines, as well as the beauty of their differences — was an eye-opening experience. Yet he was still searching for what could satisfy his passions — producing, creating, and evolving. Enter wine production. In 2018, DJ worked his first harvest as a winery intern. He was hooked. Following that harvest, he took a full-time position at the same winery and moved his life out to Santa Barbara County. DJ became a leader in the winery, moving from “cellar rat” to Assistant Winemaker, though after five years, he wanted to explore different winemaking techniques and decided it was time for a change. This ultimately led him to Provignage, where he is now Sandhi Winemaker. He could not be happier to be working with such great vineyards and fantastic wines. Here at Provignage, he appreciates the uniqueness of wines produced, not to mention their place at the table — where the team comes together to reflect.