Founded in 1982 by Fred and Nancy Cline in Oakley, California, Cline Family Cellars began with wines crafted from historic Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Carignane vines—some planted as early as the 1880s. In 1989, the family moved the winery to a 350-acre former horse farm in Sonoma-Carneros, where they raised their seven children and expanded their vineyards throughout Sonoma County.
A pioneer among the original Rhône Rangers, Fred helped introduce California wine lovers to Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne while continuing to champion Sonoma classics like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Family has always been at the heart of Cline. Now, with four of the seven Cline siblings guiding the day-to-day operations, the next generation leads with the same pioneering spirit their parents instilled. Together, they remain devoted to what has always defined Cline: family, stewardship of the land, and quality.
FAMILY MATTERS
At Cline family is everything. Our founder Fred, learned winemaking from his grandfather and is passing on his knowledge to the next generation. We hold dear the tradition of passing on our values of commitment to quality with a focus on sustainability. This is where we find our inspiration.
Our goal is simple: to create wines that not only taste exceptional but also become a part of your family's lasting memories.
STEWARDSHIP OF THE LAND
"When we were kids, you could often find us playing in the vineyards. Our parents wanted to make sure that we had a safe place to play. And because of that, it was important to them that pesticides and herbicides were not used to grow our grapes. We farm sustainably, using cover crops and compost teas to nourish the soil, and sheep to control the weeds to create healthy vines now and for the next generations.
We have been growing wine for 40 years. Our star winemakers Tom Gendall and Katie Hoggins are masters at the art of making stylish noble varietals, Rhone and Zinfandel wines. They firmly believe that the best wines are born from sustainably farmed vineyards meaning minimal intervention is needed in the cellar. We prefer to use wild yeast for fermentation and express natural colors, aromas, flavors, and textures gifted to us by the grapes we grow. All of our wines are Vegan and Gluten Free.
A Legacy of Family, Farming, and Great Wine
Our timeline honors the people, places, and moments that have shaped who we are today. From humble beginnings in Contra Costa County
to meaningful milestones in Sonoma and beyond, explore how our family’s dedication has built a tradition we’re proud to carry forward.
