INTERESTED IN WINEMAKING?
JOIN SONOMA HOME WINEMAKERS!
• Meet people with similar interests, attend meetings and special events, taste great wine and socialize.
• Help others make wine and learn from experienced grape growers and winemakers.
• Borrow, buy, or rent equipment. Get leads on grapes for sale and free.
• Access how-to presentations and mentors to learn winemaking best practices.
Next Meeting
June 11th Meeting
Chris Louton of St. Francis Winery on Sonoma
Cabernet, Bordeaux Varietals and Regional Terroir
Sonoma Community Center, Secret Garden
Time: 6:30 Socializing, 7:00 Start
What makes a Sonoma wine speak differently than a Napa wine? Chris Louton of St. Francis Winery will explore that question during our June monthly meeting. Focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals, theconversation will examine how Sonoma County’s diverse appellations and terroirs shape wines that express themselves differently from those of Napa Valley. Having crafted luxury Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa before joining St. Francis in 2013, Louton brings a unique perspective on both regions — and why he calls Sonoma “a spectacular place to make Cabernet.”
As Associate Winemaker at Beringer, Chris became a devoted fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, not only from the unique terroirs of Napa Valley, but also those of Knights Valley and Alexander Valley. This experience gave him a special appreciation for Sonoma County’s diverse appellations. “The wines from Sonoma express themselves differently than the wines from Napa” Louton says. “They have their own unique brightness and great intensity. This is a spectacular place to make Cabernet.”
Making world-class wines wasn’t the career Chris originally planned for himself. He studied biology at UC Davis with every intention of becoming a veterinarian when he took a winemaking class during his senior year. That class hooked him, and instead of applying to vet school after graduation, he went back to UC Davis to study enology and took a job as a harvest intern at Schramsberg Vineyards in Calistoga. Four years later, Chris left Schramsberg as Assistant Winemaker after having helped build their Cabernet Sauvignon program.
At St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Chris oversees production of their Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietal based blends, along with crafting beautiful expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. His goal is to create wines that are approachable, yet compelling, holding a true expression of Sonoma County.
This event is free to attend, but registration is kindly requested via EventBrite. EventBrite free event registration
21+ only please due to wine tasting of our members’ wines during the event. I.D. required.
Please bring your own glass (two if you’d like to do a side by side comparison).
Winemakers are encouraged to bring a bottle of their wine for tasting that night.
Want to become a home winemaker? Start here. All welcomed.
Join Sonoma Home Winemakers for a Member-Exclusive Old Vines Tour at Demptos Napa Cooperage
Thursday June 18, 2026
Gather at 7:30 AM
Tour starts at 8:00 AM sharp
Approx. 60-minute tour
Demptos Napa Cooperage
1050 Soscol Ferry Rd, Napa, CA
What you will learn:
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The history of Demptos and their Napa facility
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Influences of wood on wine and why
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The difference in barrels and why it makes a difference.
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Barrel toasting and what it does for wine
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Other interesting facts from the Q&A afterwards, and...much more!
Known for some of the finest oak barrels available, come visit one of the world’s premier cooperages and take a behind-the-scenes tour ... not available to the public.
Founded in 1825 in Saint-Caprais-de-Bordeaux, Tonellerie Demptos remains family-owned and still supplies the major estates in the region. In 1982, the rising quality and the promise of the Napa Valley prompted the creation of Demptos Napa Cooperage, which quickly grew its following through quality French, American and Hungarian oak barrels.
INTRIGUED? -- RSVP SOON -- SPACE IS LIMITED!
20 people is the absolute maximum for this exclusive, not-available-to-the-public tour. Only one person may attend per paid member. First come, first reserved. A waiting list will also be maintained for this event. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. Additionally, you will be asked to sign a waiver of liability before the tour.
Final deadline for RSVPs: Thursday, June 11, 2026
These and more wonderful opportunities are open to SHW Members-only.
Have you forgotten to pay your dues? Not a member yet? Renew or Join today!
News you can use...
For Sale:
Vicki Scharnikow has a 110 l (29 Gal) new French oak wine barrel for sale for $500 and a food-grade pump for sale, best offer. If interested, please contact her at vsvineyard@aol.com or (707) 337-6478.
SVVGA (Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Association) has compiled a list of established Sonoma growers looking to sell their grapes and are open to selling smaller amounts to home winemakers! To explore what they are offering, please click here and contact any grower whose fruit you are interested in purchasing through this year's harvest.
Vineyard Maintenance Wanted:
Dwight Moore has a half-acre of five-year-old Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre vines in Glen Ellen. He's looking for a knowledgeable and passionate grape grower to take over, harvesting what they wish from the annual production in exchange for a modest quantity of finished wine. If interested, please contact him at Dwight.Moore@saddleoakvineyard.com or (415) 812-6224.
Thank you Don Mills and Hendrik Cuver!
IOn May 14, in a unique departure from the world of homemade wine, Sonoma Home Winemakers has brewed up a special presentation to explore the art of the hop and the grain. This session focused on the intricate craft of Belgian brewing, featuring Don Mills and Hendrik Cuver of Windsor’s Cuver Brewing. The duo bridged the gap between European heritage and local craft innovation, discussing the science behind their award-winning recipes and the evolving state of the North Bay brewing scene.
Who we are ... and how you can participate
For over 40 years, Sonoma Home Winemakers (SHW) remains a group of enthusiastic home winemakers whose nonprofit charter is to promote the fine art of growing grapes, making great wine and to share information and tips among members. We're based in Sonoma, California and meet once a month, generally the second Thursday. (Please double check our events calendar for specific dates and location). We share ideas and information, evaluate and taste each other's wines, and host a speaker from the wine community -- all in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
If you'd like to learn more about home winemaking - whether you're a complete beginner or have been making wine for years -- come to a meeting as our guest. Consider this your open invitation! And if you like what you see, dues are only $50 a year for you plus one. (21+, please.) Membership also gives you access to several private, "member only" events: behind the scenes tours of grape vine growers, barrel makers, vineyard operations and so much more -- all designed to better your understanding of wine making.
We grow our grapes in our private vineyards, backyards, acquire grapes from local sources, or just help out fellow members with their winemaking. (You're not required to make wine...but most do!) Varietals our members make range from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel and Pinot Noir to the distinctive Tanat, exclusive Ribolla Gialla, Sangiovese, Syrah, Primitivo, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Mourvedre.
Additionally, SHW farms and manages the Tex Juen vineyard located on Leveroni Road at the end of Fryer Creek Trail in Sonoma. This vineyard was established on land leased from the City of Sonoma for the education of our members and is fully maintained by our group. Members are welcomed to participate and experience hands-on viticulture during our frequent, weekend work days. No previous knowledge required, just eagerness to learn. Send us an email about our next work day!
Are you a member of our regional wine community with knowledge you'd like to share with our group? Please let us know! We would welcome your sharing tips and techniques with us ... we're all about learning, and enjoying great home made wine!
With our efforts, we believe we are continuing the great tradition of winemaking that started in the Sonoma Valley almost 160 years ago. What will be your wine story? Come to a meeting and start creating it. Welcome!
Board Members
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President: Bob Brindley*
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Vice-President / Speakers: Bob Flanagan*
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Treasurer: Brian Middleton*
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Secretary: Bill Graham*
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Membership Chair: Faye Mellos
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Internal Communications Chair: Karen Hannah
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External Communications Chair: Donah Kalens
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Events Committee Chair: Pat Plowman
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Website: Gregory Levinson
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Members at Large: Doug Ghiselin, Peter Stanford and Leslie Hennessy
* Executive Committee
Welcome to the SHW!
Hello from the Sonoma Home Winemakers! I’m glad you are interested in learning about home winemaking and vineyard management. Information on our website can help you. Better yet, please join us at one of our monthly meetings.
The goal of our group is to help hobby winemakers learn to make wine and hopefully new friends along the way. Each month we offer you a speaker to teach us about the different aspects of making wine from pruning a vineyard, to harvesting grapes, to making wine that you can be proud to share with friends and family. Plus we have several social events throughout the year to help you make new friends with the same interests and to enjoy the bounty of our labors.
I have been a wine enthusiast and collector most of my life and more recently a home winemaker. It may run in the family since I have early memories of helping my grandfather tend to his vineyard in Upstate New York.
The Sonoma Home Winemakers are a valuable and helpful resource. We also have fun! There’s only so much you can learn in books and online. Being able to access the minds of professional vineyard managers and winemakers as well as other experienced hobby winemakers has been invaluable. Understanding how to grow better grapes and learning how the pros make their wine has armed me with the knowledge to make better wine in my own right. And best of all, we share some fantastic home wine at each of our gatherings!
If you’re interested in home winemaking or you’re already on your way, I encourage you to come to our next monthly meeting - no winemaking or vineyard xperience is necessary. Everyone is welcome! I hope to see you soon.
Cheers!
Bob Brindley, President
Sonoma Home Winemakers