Wood Family Vineyards

Wood Family Vineyards, situated in the eastern foothills of the Livermore Valley, is a family owned winery established in 1998. Specializing in handcrafted wines with minimal production. In the winemaking process, Michael, Rhonda, Harrison and Parker all have a hand - together with many friends and family. During harvest, Michael assumes all duties and Rhonda has taken on the role of winemaker. In 1996, after they purchased the Merlot vineyard where she and Michael built their house, Rhonda began making wine. Together they were propelled to Livermore Valley by their passion for wine and their conviction that winemaking starts in the vineyard. They are tireless advocates of the nature of the soils of the Livermore Valley and of their devotion to grapes grown in the Valley.

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Rhonda flew for 13 years for US Airways as an airline pilot and was working for 17. She began making beer when, during her first maternity leave, she learned it was good for breast milk.

She wanted to try her hand at making wine after a few years and planted 18 grapevines in her backyard. She found a vineyard for sale in the Livermore Valley before she was able to pick fruit from her backyard with her husband. They did their due diligence and agreed to buy the vineyard to raise their family and to create a home. At UC Davis, Rhonda jumped into winemaking and started to take extension courses, read a lot of industry books and magazines and speak to other winemakers. On September 1, 2011, she took a leave of absence from US Airways and ended up with a five-year leave of absence from which she decided to resign and continue with her passion for wine production in the Livermore Valley.

Uh, wine! They are a small family winery located in the Livermore Valley's South Eastern hills. They specialize in wine made exclusively from grapes produced in the Livermore Valley. After 17 years as an airline pilot, Rhonda Wood (the winemaker) resigned from US Airways and created 10 separate lots for a total of 1500 cases. Nowadays, with over 16 separate batches of wine, they produce around 5500 cases a year. From our award winning Chardonnay down to our Zins, everything.

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During the spring of 1984, Sparks shot through Yosemite. Rhonda's eyes caught Michael through a crowded lodge room. Conversations were shared over glasses of wine, addresses were exchanged, and a friendship ensued. Overlooking Weibel Vineyards, their first home in Fremont, they dreamed of one day owning their own vineyard. They planted 18 vines at their second home, also in Fremont. They noticed Crane Ridge Vineyards in Livermore Valley before those vines reached maturity. With 8037 vines, they purchased land and built their dream home. Shortly followed Wood Family Vineyards winery. As an airline pilot, Rhonda took a leave from her job to manage winemaking. Michael, a CFO, helps out where he can and enjoys the fruit of their labor, especially his favorite, the award-winning Chardonnay.