Steve Gleason

The Path

The work starts in discipline: training at Gonzaga Prep and Washington State Cougars, then entering the professional game as an undrafted free agent at Indianapolis Colts (2000). A practice squad stop at New Orleans Saints (2000) followed, then a longer run as safety at New Orleans Saints (2000–2006), where the demands of the position shaped the standards that would carry into later work. Steve Gleason was later listed as a retired nfl player at NFL (2008), a closing of one field and the opening of another. Since 2013, that same precision has been redirected into Four Lanterns Winery, where Steve Gleason is co-founder and owner/winemaker.

The Work Today

At Four Lanterns Winery, the craft is built around restraint and site. Since 2013, Steve Gleason has approached winemaking by working with what the vineyards already give: climate, geography, and the character of each harvest. The aim is not to impose a style from outside, but to let those conditions show through in wines that are complex and expressive. Blending is where that method becomes visible. “I love blending. I love Grenache but it is also great in a blend.” The line is practical, not ornamental: an argument for proportion, contrast, and the way one variety can sharpen another. He makes the point more directly in another remark: “There are classic blends, but I love breaking the mold.” That leaves room for tradition without treating it as a limit. Kharis shows that approach clearly. The wine blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Tempranillo, and it reads as a deliberate composition built from difference. In the bottle, the emphasis is on structure and movement rather than sameness, which is consistent with the larger work at the winery.

Signature

Steve's signature wines include Kharis, Firelight, Shades, and Still Light.

In Their Words “I love blending. I love Grenache but it is also great in a blend.” “There are classic blends, but I love breaking the mold.”

Acclaim

Steve's honors include Arthur Ashe Courage Award, Congressional Gold Medal, George Halas Award, and Super Bowl ring.