Jacob Hawkes is a bald man in his early forties. He was born and raised in alexander valley and started making wine in high school in glass demi johns and drinking it down by the river. He spent his twenties moving around, doing odd jobs and living in motels, coming home to work harvests when he went broke. He moved back here permanently about ten years ago to make wine with his dad. His family has been farming Cabernet in Alexander Valley since 1972.

Mark is a 1980 Fresno State graduate in Viticulture, and has worked in the San Joaquin Valley, Napa Valley and Alexander Valley. His knowledge in the vineyards began as a Viticulturist, to Vineyard Manager, and Director of Grower Relations for both vineyard management companies and premium wineries. Since 1999, Mark has been the Vineyard Manager of one of Alexander Valley’s oldest winegrowing and winemaking families – the Wetzel and Green family. He is a believer in protecting the complex natural environment while growing the best grapes possible, Mark’s philosophy is both practical and ecologically sensitive.

“I love this business. I’ve made it my life. And when I die, they will have to pry that half-bottle of Cabernet from my grape-stained hands.”

I was born and raised in the beautiful Alexander Valley. My father is to blame for me being in the grape growing industry, which I love and wouldn’t have it any other way. From a young kid getting out of Alexander Valley Elementary school and seeing the crews still picking grapes, I always wanted to be with my dad and the guys out in the vineyard. So, I spent my summers working in the vineyard doing anything from irrigation repairs to leaf pulling and suckering. I just knew this was where I wanted to be. Alexander Valley is my home, and I want to see this valley flourish.

In the mid-’90s, my mother, I, and two sisters lived in Mexico for two years. We went to school there at a private catholic school, and this is where I lived the Mexican culture, learned the language, and immersed myself in my heritage. It is here that I perfected my Spanish speaking, writing, and reading skills, which I believe allows for greater understanding and camaraderie within the Hispanic community.

I learned vineyard management from two of the Valleys’ great grape-growing families, the Greens and the Wetzel’s, and I’ll be forever grateful for their careful cultivation of my skills.

Growing grapes and working side by side with my father (who has been here at Hoot Owl Green Vineyards and Alexander Valley Vineyards since 1972) brings me great joy!

Doug Price grew up near Rutherford in the eastern hills of the Vaca range, working the family hillside vineyard and olive orchards in Napa Valley. This is where he developed a passion for all things hillside, vines, porcinis and back packing trips to the high Sierra.

A Napa refugee with stretches at Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Domaine Chandon, college in Incline Village, travel throughout the Caribbean, South and Central America, he settled in Healdsburg. After years of growing wine grapes in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino he shifted that experience to the role of Grower Relations Manager for Constellation Wines, sourcing grapes from Alexander Valley growers to fill the must lines of Simi, Clos Du Bois and Ravenswood.

“Alexander Valley offers so many opportunities for grape sourcing, from double black diamond hillside Cabernet to luscious volcanic bench Old Vine Zinfandel, my job is a walk in the park, everyday.”

Alice Warnecke Sutro is an artist, writer, and wine producer. She founded the wine label SUTRO in 2012 and manages all aspects of the business. She is also proud to be a part of her family business: Warnecke Ranch & Vineyard, where she sources premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc for her own label. Warnecke Ranch is an amazing family owned and operated business since 1911 situated on the Russian River in Sonoma County.

Born and Raised in Alexander Valley, Robert Young II is part of the fifth generation of the Robert Young Family. His roots run deep with his ancestors first settling in Alexander Valley in 1858. His grandfather, Robert Young was a pioneer in grape growing being the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the valley in 1963 and later developing a proprietary Chardonnay clone, Robert Young Clone 17.

Robert grew up living and working in the family business. As a child, he worked in the vineyard and visioned himself staying in the family business. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College, transferred to Sonoma State University, and graduated in 2019 with a BA in Wine Business. He is now the Hospitality Lead at the family’s tasting venue and carrying on the family legacy.