Dave Stare, Don Wallace and
Kim Stare Wallace

drew Dave to the Dry Creek Valley; coming upon an old prune orchard across the street from the Dry Creek General Store.  Realizing that he had found his dream location, Dave promptly ripped out the fruit trees and began planting grapes. Because Dave’s inspiration was the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc figured to be a prominent wine in the Dry Creek Vineyard portfolio.  However, after consulting with several famed horticulturists and vineyard managers, he was advised against planting Sauvignon Blanc.  Hearing Dave recount the story is a bit like listening to a gun slinger recount his shootout. “They told me Sauvignon Blanc would never grow in the Dry Creek Valley.  I appreciated their advice but I knew I had to stick to my guns.  I was going to plant this varietal come hell or high water.”  It turned out to be one of his best decisions. 

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Agriculture is a natural way of life for Don Wallace, the product of four generations of a hard-working California farming family. Don’s interest in machinery took him away from the farm for fifteen years while he pursued a career in international construction. While he was on a project in Sonoma County in 1980, Don met Dry Creek Vineyard founder David Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare, whom he married in 1982.

With his father-in-law and wife in the wine business, Don’s next move was a stint among the vines at Murphy-Goode Estate Winery to “test drive” his new family’s industry. After one year, Don accepted his father-in-law’s offer to manage ranch operations at Dry Creek Vineyard in 1990. Don’s sphere of influence gradually grew to encompass every aspect of the business, including winery operations and sales, as well as vineyard development and acquisitions. Don took on the role of General Manager in 1999. In April 2006, Don was appointed President of Dry Creek Vineyard.

Frequent twelve-hour workdays notwithstanding, Don’s primary focus are his two children, Taylor and Spencer. From coaching Little League to addressing homework issues at the kitchen table, Don prides himself on being a hands-on Dad. In addition, he still finds time to pursue an array of interests. Don is a passionate gardener and gourmet cook, enjoys mushroom hunting and duck hunting and, naturally, is an avid sailor.

As a small child, Kim Stare Wallace was wielding a shovel at her father’s side when he broke ground for Dry Creek Vineyard in 1972. She’s been passionate about the wine industry ever since. Kim has seen the California wine industry mature through its ups and downs and is determined that her family winery will stay in the family. Kim insists upon an unwavering focus on winemaking excellence.
 

After graduating magna cum laude from San Francisco State University, Kim began a career in the fashion industry that greatly helped build Dry Creek Vineyard’s dynamic brand. Eventually joining the winery in 1986 as Director of Marketing, one of her first achievements was the creation of nautical labels for Dry Creek Vineyard’s wines, an unprecedented move that has indelibly linked the winery to sailboats in consumers’ minds.

The success of her program was so visible that other wineries asked for her help. She obliged by starting her own consulting business, specializing in marketing and public relations.  Her efforts were rewarded with numerous packaging, advertising and public relations awards.

In the mid '90s, Kim took on the increased responsibility of Vice President of the winery, involved in all decisions affecting the quality of the Dry Creek Vineyard experience. Her hands-on approach and desire to succeed meant she did everything from strategic planning, to tasting and ranking multiple barrel samples, reviewing the annual budget, meeting with wine writers, planning promotional events and entertaining key customers.  As of January, 2008, Kim now writes a wine blog which can be read at:  www.wilmaswineworld.com or by clicking the link on our home page.