Bill Stokes, Sr. planted his first 45 acres of Zinfandel near Lodi in 1954, and established additional vineyards during the next decade. His son Tom increased the family acreage in vines from the 1960's to the 1980's, both by purchasing vineyard properties and developing new vineyards. Tom's two sons, Bill and Mike, took over active management of the family business in 1985. Under their supervision, Stokes Family Vineyard continues to grow, and now encompasses more than 2,000 acres.