Shenandoah Vineyards

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Shenandoah Vineyards or Sobon Family Wines was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. Located in Plymouth, California, they moved from Los Altos, California, where Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab. The selection of a winery site was well researched and the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County was selected. They and their six children moved to the old Steiner Ranch, planted a vineyard, and converted the old stone garage to a winery.

[edit] Today

The winemaking and business aspects have continued to be a family affair. Two sons and one son-in-law currently work full time for the business: Tom Quinn in Sales and Marketing, Paul Sobon as the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, and Robert Sobon as Coordinator of Computer and Business Systems. Shirley and Leon have entered into partial retirement, and only work a few days a week.

From the first offering of 1200 cases, the winery has continued to thrive, adjusting the portfolio of wines over the years, and is now producing about 15,000 cases per year under the Shenandoah label, and 20,000 cases under the Sobon Estate label. Demand has been created because of skilled winemaking, marketing, financial planning, and strong family commitments to quality and service. Only organically grown grapes are used.

The Sobon Estate winery started in 1989 when Leon and Shirley Sobon bought each other a second winery for their 30th wedding anniversary present. They purchased the historic D'Agostini Winery, one of the oldest in the state. This site was chosen not only for its historical winery, but also for its vineyards and vineyard land. The old vine Zinfandel has been retained, and the other vineyards have been replanted with the best varieties and the best clones. The Sobon Estate label launched the estate line of wines for the Sobon Family, the best from their own grapes. These included the Rhone varieties, the vineyard designated Zinfandels, and the tasting room only dessert wines.

Organic Farming and the Sobon Family In 1989, the family made a decision to start farming organically. After a winter of much research, the following spring was the start of a new endeavor. They have never stopped learning. In 1994, the Sobon's registered with the County Agriculture Commissioner and the State of California as Organic Growers of grapes and walnuts. They now farm 125 acres without pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. During 2002, the Sobon's received the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) Certification.^[1]