David Stare

Founder

In many ways, David S. Stare is a pioneer. Coming west in the late 1960s with little more than a dream, Dave’s work ethic and determination drove his early success. 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 in France, his original plan was to move to France to build his own French chateaux. However, after reading about the burgeoning wine industry in California, Dave knew that coming west to start his winery was the right move to make.

Upon his arrival, Dave enrolled as a graduate student in winemaking at UC Davis and, on the weekends, 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, 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 his 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 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 what I knew was right. I was going to plant this varietal come hell or high water.” It turned out to be one of his best decisions. Read more about Dave >

Kim Stare Wallace

President

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 and later used her knowledge and expertise with design to help build Dry Creek Vineyard’s dynamic brand. Kim joined 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.

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, to tasting and ranking multiple barrel samples, reviewing the annual budget, meeting with wine writers, planning promotional events and entertaining key customers.

Today, Kim serves as President of the winery. Her vision for the future of Dry Creek Vineyard is clear – honor the past while striving to produce wines of outstanding distinction that consistently overdeliver and provide great enjoyment to wine drinkers. Read more about Kim >

Don Wallace

Partner

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 and in April 2006, he was appointed President of Dry Creek Vineyard. In 2012, Don decided to take a well deserved sabbatical to pursue some outside interests as well as an extended list of honey do’s at home! Read more about Don >