HONIG VINEYARD & Winery
In 1964, Louis Honig purchased a 68-acre ranch in Rutherford, in the heart of the Napa Valley. The vineyard was planted with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which he sold to neighboring wineries. Louis worked to create a family gathering place at the ranch, for his children and grandchildren, while he dreamed of the day he could retire from his San Francisco advertising agency and make wine from his vineyard.
Louis passed away before he could realize his dream, leaving the estate to his family. In 1981, as a tribute to his legacy, his family produced a few hundred cases of Louis Honig Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard’s old tractor barn. After the wine won a Gold Medal at the Orange County Fair, the family decided to increase production, and Honig Vineyard & Winery was born.
In 1984, at the age of 22, Louis’ grandson, Michael Honig, took over management of the vineyard and winery. In 1989 the family began producing small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon. As the business grew, family members Regina Weinstein, Steven Honig, and
Stephanie Honig joined Michael in the winery.
What began as a small “garage” winery has today become a successful family enterprise,
with everyone working collaboratively to run an inspiring and socially responsible business. The Honig family donates wine to charitable organizations around the country; hosts trade and community events at their vineyard; and are leaders in sustainability, both in the vineyard and the winery.
Winemaker Kristin Belair focuses production solely on Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Honig wines can be found on the wine lists of hundreds of fine restaurants. Louis Honig’s vision of bringing his family together to share in the beauty and bounty of Napa Valley, while producing outstanding wines, has become a reality.
www.honigwine.com
STEVEN HONIG
Vintner
Steven Honig was raised in San Francisco and enjoyed weekends and summers in Napa Valley riding mini bikes and driving tractors at the family’s Rutherford ranch. In 1986, he graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder Business School with a degree in Finance and went to work for the family winery as a sales representative in Los Angeles. After a year, he decided to move to Sweden, where he ran a bike messenger company, imported mountain bikes and parts and raced mountain bikes on an international level.
In 1995, Steven returned to San Francisco, remaining in the mountain biking industry serving as Director of Sales and Promotions for a sports marketing company which organized world class cycling festivals. In October of 2000, he returned to the family business and turned his skills towards business development for the winery.
He is a Partner, Director of California Sales, and an Advisor to the Executive Committee.
Steven’s son, Gavin, is a sales representative for the winery and his daughter Annika is a production assistant on Honig’s All Female winemaking team.
Steven is an avid cyclist, mountain biker, skier, swimmer, and backpacker. Often he can be found walking in the vineyards with his wife Miriam, children, and grand-dogger Sage.