Our Family

In many ways, founder David S. Stare is a pioneer. Coming west in the late 1960s with little more than a dream, he personified the character and work ethic of early Gold Rush pioneers. Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dave worked for the B&O Railroad for several years but quickly realized that his true calling was in the wine industry. Inspired by his trips to the Loire Valley, Dave’s original plan was to move to France to build his own French chateau. However, reading about the burgeoning wine industry in California made Dave know that coming west to start his winery was the right move.

Upon his arrival in California, Dave began taking winemaking classes at UC Davis as a graduate student. On the weekends, he spent time surveying vineyard land from Monterey to Mendocino. It was during one of those weekend trips that fate drew Dave to the Dry Creek Valley. When he saw an old prune orchard across the street from the Dry Creek General store, Dave realized that he had found his dream location. He purchased the orchard and began planting vines. Because Dave’s inspiration was the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc seemed destined to figure prominently in the Dry Creek Vineyard portfolio. However, several famed vineyard specialists advised him 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.” This turned out to be one of Dave’s best decisions.

The first new winery in the Dry Creek Valley since Prohibition, Dry Creek Vineyard has become the standard bearer for Fumé Blanc in Sonoma County. Over the last thirty years, the winery has also developed an international reputation for its Dry Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Zinfandels and Bordeaux varieties. Dave’s legacy as a Sonoma County vintner will have a lasting impact. Among the many achievements during his career, Dave:

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. After dating for two years, they 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 see how he’d enjoy his new family’s industry. After one year, Don knew he belonged and 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 is 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 (see photo on right) and duck hunting and, naturally, is an avid sailor.

Don frequents the airways traveling coast-to-coast to promote Dry Creek Vineyard and help regional sales programs around the country. An active industry advocate, Don currently serves as Vice President of the Dry Creek Valley Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, the Sonoma County Wineries Association and The Wine Institute of California.

Don is the analytical and practical one, while Kim is creative and intuitive. Despite their stylistic differences, they share the same vision and agree on virtually all strategic decisions. Perhaps most fundamental is their mutual agreement to continue the family tradition of producing only classically styled wines that define their category. The family lives in a house nestled in the vines next to the winery.

Kim Stare Wallace was wielding a shovel at her father’s side when he broke ground for Dry Creek Vineyard in 1972. Two years earlier, David Stare had packed up the family station wagon and headed west to enroll in enology classes at UC Davis and purchase fifty-five acres in the quiet Dry Creek Valley.

From this early start, Kim developed a passion and understanding of the wine industry. She has seen the California wine industry mature through its ups and downs and remains 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 impacted her later at Dry Creek Vineyard, where she built a dynamic brand image. Eventually joining the winery in 1986 as Director of Marketing, one of her first achievements was the creation of nautical labels for Dry Creek’s wines, an unprecedented move that has indelibly linked the winery to sailboats in consumers’ minds.

The success of her programs was so visible that other wineries asked for her help. She obliged by starting her own consulting business, specializing in marketing and public relations. In doing so, Kim amassed a litany of packaging, advertising and public relations awards.

In the mid-nineties, 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 with husband Don, to tasting and ranking multiple barrel samples, reviewing the annual budget, meeting with wine writers, planning promotional events and entertaining key customers.

Kim continues to be involved in various industry organizations as well. Because her time is divided between long hours at the office and those she puts in being a mom, this list has shortened in recent years. She still makes sure, however, that the winery remains an integral part of industry associations such as the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley and the Meritage Association.

Quite literally raised in the wine business, Kim cannot recall a time when wines, vines and vintages were not the focus of daily conversation. Some family traditions never change. Now Kim and Don live with their two young children, aylor and Spencer, in a home nestled among the vineyards near Dry Creek Vineyard.