https://campsite.bio/familywinemakersofca, https://www.familywinemakers.us/

Family Winemakers, PO BOX 99, Windsor, CA (2026)

08/27/2026

We’re excited to welcome Patent Wines as a new member of Family Winemakers of California!

By joining FWC, wineries add its voice to our collective efforts advocating in Sacramento for legislation that supports and protects California’s family wineries.

Patent Wines is a small Napa Valley winery founded by longtime vintners Tom Rinaldi and Eric Risch, who bring decades of experience to the wines they make today.

Tom has spent more than half a century making wine in Napa Valley, including overseeing winemaking at Duckhorn Vineyards, as the founding winemaker, where he helped establish the winery’s reputation for Merlot-influenced, Right-Bank Bordeaux-style wines.

Eric brings a background in business, technology and wine. He moved to Napa Valley in 2000, eventually becoming general manager of Pellet Estate, where he and Tom first met. Today, he oversees Patent’s winery operations, sales and marketing, and grower relations.

Patent Wines label tells a story: each bottle features wine-related drawings found in the historic U.S. Patent Office database, many dating back to the 1800s.

They are a small production, and when you call to place and order or have a question, you’ll likely get either Tom or Eric on the phone. That’s by design.

We’re glad to have you alongside us as we continue advocating for California’s family wineries.

Learn more: patentwines.com

Photos courtesy of Patent Wines.

Happy Family Winemakers Month!

08/24/2026

For three generations, the family behind Starfield Vineyards has believed that great wine begins with great land.

Their winegrowing story dates back to the Prohibition era, when founder Tom Mansfield's grandfather partnered with Louis M. Martini to produce sacramental wines. That early connection to California's wine industry planted the roots of a family tradition that continues today.

Tom carried that legacy forward by planting Shell Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles while earning his master's degree in Food Science at UC Davis. After a successful career in the Bay Area, his passion for wine called him back. In 2011, he launched the Starfield Vineyards brand, determined to create wines that expressed both exceptional vineyards and a strong sense of place.

The family's next generation soon joined the journey.

That vision found its perfect home in 2012 with the purchase of a 67-acre hillside estate in California's Sierra Foothills.

Perched at 2,400 feet within the El Dorado AVA—California's highest average elevation wine region—Starfield's vineyards thrive in volcanic soils, crisp mountain air, and an environment unlike any other.

The family believes exceptional wines are grown, not made. Their steep hillside vineyards are farmed using regenerative practices, with permanent native cover crops protecting the soil and enriching the land.

Life at elevation also shapes every vintage. Spring arrives weeks later than in coastal wine regions, giving the grapes a longer growing season and preserving the bright natural acidity that makes Starfield wines so vibrant and food-friendly.

The mountain environment contributes another distinctive characteristic. Higher elevations receive more intense sunlight, encouraging thicker grape skins that produce wines rich in flavor, structure, and aromatics. Surrounding forests of Ponderosa pine, incense cedar, and Douglas fir lend subtle herbal and pine notes that Starfield calls "Sierra Spice"—a signature expression of El Dorado's remarkable mountain terroir.

Photos courtesy of Starfield Vineyards.

08/22/2026

Member Spotlight: Harney Lane Winery

Some wineries tell the story of a vintage. Harney Lane Winery tells the story of six generations.

For more than 125 years, the Schnaidt-Mettler-Lerner family has cared for the same land in Lodi, building a legacy rooted not just in farming grapes, but in preserving a way of life. Their story begins in 1900, when Fred Schnaidt purchased the family estate with a vision that future generations would continue to steward the land with the same dedication and purpose.

That vision became reality.

The family began growing wine grapes in 1906, passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. Through changing markets, evolving farming practices, and more than a century of California wine history, the original estate has remained in family hands—a remarkable testament to their commitment to both agriculture and one another.

Today, the property is known as the Henry Ranch, named in honor of second-generation farmer Henry Schnaidt and fourth-generation winegrower George Henry Mettler. George and his wife, Kathy Mettler, co-founded Harney Lane Winery alongside Kyle and Jorja Lerner, transforming generations of farming experience into an estate winery that celebrates both family and place.

Now led by the fifth and sixth generations, Harney Lane continues to evolve as Kyle and Jorja work alongside their children, Kirsten and Ian, ensuring the family's legacy will continue for generations to come.

Every bottle produced at Harney Lane is 100% estate grown, reflecting the soils, climate, and careful stewardship of the family's Lodi vineyards. Their philosophy is simple: create wines that are sophisticated enough for seasoned wine enthusiasts, yet approachable enough to enjoy around the dinner table on an ordinary Tuesday evening.

At the heart of Harney Lane is a commitment to farming with the future in mind. Guided by sustainable farming practices, the family believes they are caretakers of the land, responsible for preserving its health and vitality for the generations that will follow.

Photo courtesy of Harney Lane Winery website

08/12/2026

Your Membership Does More Than Benefit Your Winery. It Protects California’s Family Wineries.

If you are a winery in California and you are not yet a member of Family Winemakers of CA, please take a look at why you should join.

California’s family wineries are stronger when we stand together.

Every membership helps protect the future of independent wineries across our state. From legislative advocacy and regulatory support to educational workshops, marketing resources, and a unified voice in Sacramento, your investment helps ensure family-owned wineries continue to thrive.

Membership starts at just $300 per year for wineries selling up to 5,000 cases. Wineries selling more than 5,000 cases pay just $0.06 per case—a small investment that helps strengthen the collective voice of California’s independent wineries.

Join a community of like-minded wineries that believe in protecting what makes our industry special: family ownership, craftsmanship, and the freedom to grow and succeed.

We are behind bills that allow wineries to sell at farmers' markets, extend tasting experiences to the vineyard, and AB1585, which calls for label transparency for American wine. We are constantly fighting for independent wineries to continue to do what they love: make and sell wine. Put your investment where it matters most. Join Family Winemakers of California and help shape the future of California wine.

Link in bio to join and learn more. Swipe —->

08/07/2026

Bring ing our members value through skills workshops and actionable items they can implement in order to become more visible online.

Taught by our partner, Marketing Strategist, Jess Vallery of Treetop Digital Creative Marketing.

Attendees will learn all the ways Google Business matters to their business, how to navigate the platform, what to do each month, determine how their customers are finding them online, and actions steps to be successful.

Jess brings over 18 years of experience optimizing Google Business Profiles to help businesses increase visibility, improve local search rankings, and attract more customers.

Signup for this hands on workshop now.
August 13 from 10:30-11:30 with office hour from 11:30-12:30 for additionally help.

$75 for non-members | Free for FWC Members

Register —-> FamilyWinemakers.us

08/06/2026

📍 Is your Google Business Profile working as hard as you are?

If you’re not sure, this workshop is for you.

Join us on August 13 for a hands-on virtual workshop where we’ll walk through exactly how to optimize your Google Business Profile so more customers can find your winery online.

We’ll cover:
• How Google Business Profiles really work
• The key sections most wineries overlook
• Photos, services, posts, events, and updates
• Reviews, SEO, and visibility tips
• A live walkthrough of a fully optimized profile
• Time for your questions—with an additional hour after the workshop for one-on-one help

Whether you’re just getting started or want to improve your current listing, you’ll leave with actionable steps you can implement immediately.

Led by Jessie Vallery of Treetop Digital Creative, Sonoma County SEO + Marketing Strategy the Google Business Profile go to gal. You’ll be sure to walk away with the know how to get seen online.

🗓 August 13
💻 Virtual Workshop
🍷 Free for Family Winemakers of California members
💲 $75 for non-members

Register today at familywinemakers.us

08/05/2026

Throughout August, we're honoring the family wineries and businesses that help make California's wine industry thrive by sharing their stories.

Join us by sharing your own story—and by celebrating the family wineries and industry partners who make a difference.

When Rebecca Faust and Bruce Lundquist founded Rack & Riddle in 2007, they saw an opportunity to do something different. They built a winery dedicated to crafting premium sparkling wines using the traditional French Méthode Champenoise, while also providing custom winemaking services that help wineries across California bring their own wines to life.

Today, Rack & Riddle is much more than a custom crush facility. Their team partners with wineries of every size, offering expertise, state-of-the-art production, and a commitment to quality that has helped countless California wineries succeed.

Their support extends well beyond the cellar. Co-founder Bruce Lundquist has dedicated many years of service to the Family Winemakers of California Board of Directors and continues to serve as Treasurer, helping strengthen the organization and advocate for independent wineries across the state.

Family wineries don't succeed alone—they rely on trusted partners, shared knowledge, and a community that works together. Rack & Riddle is a perfect example of that collaborative spirit, and we're proud to have them as part of the California wine community.

Photos courtesy of Rack & Riddle

08/03/2026

Throughout August, we’re honoring the family wineries of California by sharing the stories behind the people, properties, and legacies that make this industry so special.

Join us by sharing your own winery story—and by celebrating the family wineries you love.

Wallis Family Estate's story began in 1975, when Edward Wallis fell in love with an 85-acre property on Diamond Mountain Road in Calistoga. What started as a peaceful country retreat would eventually become a family winery. More than two decades later, Edward and his wife, Marilyn, caught the "wine bug" and planted their first vineyards, initially growing fruit for renowned Napa Valley wineries before launching Wallis Family Estate in 2006.

The estate is also home to a remarkable piece of California history—a stone chateau built in 1906 and a carriage house dating to the late 1800s, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Swipe to see the photo comparisons.

Today, Wallis Family Estate continues to focus on meticulous farming, exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, and preserving the property's history for future generations.

Their story is a reminder that family wineries are not only producing wine—they are protecting land, preserving history, and carrying forward a legacy.

Thank you for being a member of Family Winemakers of CA and being part of the rich history of winemaking that makes up California's wine industry.

(Photo courtesy of Wallisestate.com and Napavalleylife.com)

08/01/2026

We are kicking off Family Winemakers Month with a Family Story:

Family wineries are the heart of California wine, and throughout Family Winemakers Month, we're proud to celebrate the people, places, and stories that make them so special.

Today, we'd like to spotlight Hearst Ranch Winery in Paso Robles.
Built on a lifelong friendship, a family legacy, and a deep respect for the land, Hearst Ranch Winery was founded in 2010 by longtime friends Jim Saunders and Steve Hearst. Today, Jim and Debi Saunders, alongside their son Scott, continue to guide the family business with the same values that inspired it from the beginning.
A Paso Robles native, Jim Saunders was part of the pioneering wave of growers who helped shape the region's modern wine industry in the early 1990s. Together with Debi, he established Saunders Vineyard in 1994, laying the foundation for what would become Hearst Ranch Winery. Today, the 150-acre estate vineyard continues to produce exceptional Rhône and Bordeaux varietals, reflecting decades of thoughtful farming, sustainable practices, and a deep respect for the land.

Whether you're visiting the estate tasting room in Paso Robles or enjoying a tasting at their coastal location in San Simeon overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Hearst Castle, you'll experience more than exceptional wines—you'll experience a family dedicated to agriculture, community, and sharing the best of California wine.
We're proud to recognize Hearst Ranch Winery and the Saunders family as part of Family Winemakers Month, celebrating the families whose hard work, vision, and stewardship continue to shape California wine.

This August, join us in sharing your family-winery story and share those who you admire as well in California wine, and let’s bring awareness to all the families who have built the foundation of the California wine industry!

07/28/2026

As we approach August, Family Winemakers Month, we're celebrating the people, places, and stories behind California's family-owned wineries. Throughout the next several weeks, we'll be highlighting wineries across the state whose passion, perseverance, and dedication help shape California wine. While we wish we could feature them all, there are simply more remarkable family winery stories than we can fit into a single month.

Today, we're shining a spotlight on Cedarville Vineyard, nestled in the heart of California's Sierra Foothills.

Founded by Jonathan Lachs and his late wife, Susan Marie, Cedarville Vineyard grew from a shared dream that began while they were both studying Enology at UC Davis. In 1995, they found the perfect home in Fair Play, naming the vineyard after a nearby Gold Rush ghost town founded in 1852—a tribute to the rich history of the region they now call home.

For more than 15 years, Cedarville has embraced organic farming, choosing natural methods that protect the soil, encourage biodiversity, and preserve the health of the vineyard for future generations. From nitrogen-fixing cover crops to barn owl boxes that naturally manage pests, sustainability is woven into everything they do.

Susan Marie's legacy continues to inspire the winery today. Each year, Cedarville releases a special Susan Marie memorial wine to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), raising more than $80,000 to date for pancreatic cancer research through the generosity of their customers, family, and friends.

Family wineries are more than places where wine is made—they are stewards of the land, keepers of California's history, and businesses built on passion, perseverance, and purpose.

We're proud to celebrate Cedarville Vineyard and the many family wineries that make California wine so special.

Photos courtesy of

Family Winemakers

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