Viano Vineyards enjoys the cooling breezes from the Carquinez Straits, providing the perfect balance of heat and coolness. This location boasts a combination of ideal soil and climatic conditions favorable for growing premium wine grapes, including Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Muscat Canelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel.

Founded by the Viano family in 1920, this family estate, now in its 4th and 5th generations, purchased an already planted vineyard established in 1888. The vineyard reminded the Viano family of their vineyards in Piedmont, Italy. Once named Vine Hill, this area was rich in grapes and home to more than 15 wineries.

Some of the original vines still remain, while the rest of the vineyard has been expanded and replanted to cater to new world tastes and desires. Using the most natural cultural practices possible, combined with traditional winemaking techniques, including natural yeast and aging in small oak cooperage, Viano Vineyards brings fine handcrafted wines to their patrons.

Story Winery

Since its founding in 1973, Story Winery has been dedicated to producing small-lot, vineyard-designate wines that authentically express the land from which they originate. Primarily utilizing estate-grown grapes, the winery strives to create wines that not only represent their terroir but also cellar well while being enjoyable in their youth.

The winery’s tasting room and picnic grounds are open daily, offering visitors a chance to experience great wine, find the perfect picnic spot, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment in nature. Guests are invited to discover the renowned estate vineyards, which include 130-year-old Zinfandel and Mission vines, as well as award-winning Italian and Georgian varietals. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide visitors through various tasting options while sharing stories about the wines, vineyards, and the events that have shaped the winery’s 120-year history.

The Team

Winemaking

Rob Campbell & Thomas Allan

Winemaker Rob Campbell, a fourth-generation San Franciscan, grew up in San Francisco and nearby Daly City. He ventured just 30 miles away to attend San Jose State University, where he studied Jazz. Rob earned a BA in Jazz Studies and a master’s degree in saxophone performance. Realizing that a musician’s income would struggle to sustain him in San Francisco, he leveraged his computer skills while completing his studies. Rob worked at Hewlett-Packard, Apple, and later at Digidesign (now part of Avid Technologies) during the early 1990s. Over a decade, he climbed the ranks to become Hardware Product Manager of digital audio workstations. He then transitioned into a consulting role for Avid’s worldwide training organization as an author, lecturer, and Master Trainer. After extensive global travel, Rob chose to settle back in San Francisco to manage One Union Recording, a premier post-production audio facility. It was during this period that he took over management and operations at Story Winery.

WinemakerThomas Allan, originally from Santa Barbara, has built a diverse career in the restaurant industry, serving as an owner, server, and sommelier. He also worked in high-end retail bottle shops in Santa Barbara before relocating to Amador County in 2000. Thomas was the original Sommelier at Taste Restaurant before moving to Bray Vineyards. In 2016, he established his own label, Fate Wines, which he continues to manage alongside his work at Story Winery, where he joined the winemaking team in 2018.

Image courtesy photographer Randy Caparosos