Blake Kininmonth

 With over 20 years in fine dining + mixology Blake has developed a fascination for wine, beer, and craft cocktails.  His “golden rule” is to always deliver a high quality, well balanced drink.

Drawing inspiration from his time working in fine dining in San Francisco, Oakland and Portland, his background in classic cocktails and artisanal beverages led him into DIY home brewing.

Blake’s journey into cider began in his own backyard.  First making Nocino out of black walnuts, and then Kombucha, and then fermenting peppers.

One year, Blake picked over 100lbs of blackberries, and from that made blackberry wine.  His friends told him that his blackberry wine tasted like Cabernet. That is when Blake realized that every fruit ferments into wine, not only grapes!  That fascination led him into fermenting different terroirs of berries, stonefruits, and eventually lead to the fermentation of apples.

In 2018, Blake moved to a citrus farm in Ventura County, at the base of Balcom Canyon where his cidermaking matured even more.  He began making cider at a local wineries in 2019, and opened Balcom Canyon Cidery in Ventura in 2022.

When it comes to making an impact, Christian Galvan doesn’t just talk about it—he gets it done. As the powerhouse behind Balcom Canyon Cider’s marketing, social media, and grassroots growth, he has helped shape the brand into a local favorite while fostering strong relationships with businesses across Ventura County. His expertise in digital storytelling, partnership development, and brand strategy has not only elevated Balcom Canyon but also brought visibility and success to countless local businesses.

Beyond the cider world, Christian’s heart lies in giving back. As a single father, he understands the power of support, which fuels his dedication to the Cancer Hope Foundation. For years, he has led fundraising efforts, including the Taste of Hope beer, wine, and cider tasting event, raising over $200,000 to provide all-expenses-paid camp getaways for families affected by cancer. His background in rugby has also played a major role in securing sponsorships for Ventura County Rugby Club (men’s & women’s) and Santa Barbara Rugby Club (men’s & women’s) they all know him by another name, Giggles, helping to grow the sport locally. His ultimate goal? To have Balcom Canyon Cider poured at every rugby social across Southern California—because nothing brings a team together like a well-earned cider after a match.