who we are
A CLOSE-KNIT CREW MAKING EPIC WINE FROM THE GROUND UP
Chenoweth Wines is a small, family-run winery rooted in the rugged, rolling hills of West Sonoma County—prime terrain for world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Our story is grounded in the land that’s been in our family since the mid-1800s, and we’ve been farming some of the most sought-after grapes in Sonoma County for over three decades.
What started as a grape-growing venture has grown into a full-on winemaking adventure, powered by a passionate, hands-on crew. At the center is Amy Chenoweth, who guides the winery with heart, grit, and a fierce sense of fun—but she’s never doing it alone. Backed by her family and a powerhouse team of women who know their way around a vineyard, a bottling line, and a wine glass, it’s truly a group effort.
Together, they farm every grape, bottle every wine, and build every release from the ground up—always with a little dirt on our boots and a lot of pride in every bottle.
We love what we do, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we’re so glad you’re here to savor the results.
“Where family comes first”
Three Great Vineyards,
the Key to Epic Wine
They say great wines are made in the vineyard. For Charlie and Amy Chenoweth, that’s less a saying than an actual fact. For Charlie, the legendary grape grower, and Amy, the family winemaker, the fruit is everything. Learn more about our beloved vineyards by clicking on the images below.
Home Ranch
Bootlegger’s Hill
Treehouse
Our wines
meet THE makers
AMY chenoweth,
“The Maker”
When asked about her winemaking philosophy, Amy Chenoweth doesn’t mince words:
“Start with epic grapes… and don’t screw it up.”
Amy’s journey into winemaking began exactly where all good wine starts—in the vineyard. She cut her teeth among the vines tended by legendary grape grower Charlie Chenoweth, whose fruit has powered some of Sonoma County’s most celebrated wines. Working side-by-side in the vineyard business, Amy helped grow grapes for rockstar winemakers—the kind of bottles that are tough to get, easy to love, and always the first to disappear at a dinner party. But watching those big-name winemakers turn Chenoweth grapes into magic sparked something bigger: she wanted in.
She soaked up everything she could—learning by doing, asking questions, and putting in the long hours on crush pads and in barrel rooms across Sonoma County. While she studied oenology at UC Davis, her real education came the hard-earned way: hands-on, boots dirty, glass in hand.
Chenoweth Wines’ first vintage rolled out in 2010—just fifty cases of Pinot Noir from their family’s hillside vineyard in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley AVA. Since then, Amy has grown the production slowly and intentionally, now bottling around 600 cases a year. Still tiny by industry standards—but that’s exactly the point.
This isn’t wine made for the masses. It’s wine made with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of dirt-on-the-boots.
CHARLIE chenoweth,
“The Farmer”
When Charlie Chenoweth was just twelve years old, his dad handed him a serious task: rip out his grandpa’s cherry trees. With dynamite. And just like that, his farming career literally exploded into motion.
Though he “grew up farming unwillingly” on the family’s Sonoma County ranch, Charlie eventually leaned into the dirt, sweat, and stubborn magic of agriculture—and became one of the most respected growers in the game. These days, he’s the guy winemakers call when they want Pinot Noir that’ll stop people in their tracks.
In 2000, it was Charlie who made the call to tear out the family’s apple orchard and plant Pinot Noir, knowing the variety was perfectly suited to the cool, fog-kissed microclimate of the Russian River Valley. Since then, he’s been farming with the eye of an architect and the hand of a sculptor—meticulously caring for every vine, leaf, spur, and cluster like it’s the only one on the ranch.
His deep knowledge, relentless attention to detail, and intuitive approach to the land have earned him a reputation among elite winemakers as one of Wine Country’s go-to growers—the kind who delivers fruit so good, you can taste the precision in every sip.
![charlie[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b9019ba365f022fa3216799/1548713335492-ZTCM5HQ8YKN7BQ3BC4QS/charlie%5B1%5D.jpg)
Supporting Cast
Kyra
Chenoweth
Sales, Marketing & Hospitality
Kyra is the friendly face (and powerhouse behind the scenes) making sure every guest experience at Chenoweth Wines is memorable. She handles everything from scheduling vineyard tours and private tastings to keeping our brand voice fresh and fun across all platforms. With deep roots in the family business, she brings warmth, professionalism, and a little sparkle to everything she does.
Whether she’s greeting guests at the ranch, organizing events, or sending out wine to club members, Kyra keeps the wheels turning and the glasses full—with style.
Adair
Sarasy
Sales, Marketing & Operations
Adair is the detail-driven powerhouse working behind the scenes to shape the Chenoweth Wines experience from start to finish. From social media to sales tracking, to shipping, she’s the one making sure everything runs smoothly—and looks good doing it.
With a background in psychology, Adair brings a thoughtful approach to branding, grounded in understanding what truly resonates with people. She has a knack for turning stories into connection points, using insight and intuition to craft the tone, voice, and feel behind every guest touchpoint. Whether she’s building a campaign or fine-tuning a tasting note, Adair helps ensure our wines don’t just taste good—they make people feel like they’ve stumbled onto something worth sharing.
Ivy
Chenoweth
Director of Showing People the Grapes
At just three years old (7th Generation on the Ranch!), Ivy Chenoweth has already claimed her title as Director of Showing People the Grapes—and she takes her job very seriously. Whether she’s leading vineyard tours (with a juice box in hand), greeting guests with a big smile, or pointing out the “good grapes,” Ivy brings unmatched charm and curiosity to the Chenoweth crew.
She knows where the best vines are, loves a good tractor ride, and is always happy to remind you that grapes are not for squishing until harvest. With dirt on her boots and sass in her step, Ivy might be the youngest member of the team—but she’s already a crowd favorite.
Future winemaker? Maybe. Professional grape boss? Absolutely.
Cory Albury
Consulting Winemaker
Cory, pictured with his daughter, Josephine, is our Consulting Winemaker. He has also been our Assistant Vineyard Manager and Lead Winemaker until 2015. Cory began his wine journey working in a small wine shop as a young man in Florida. Wanting to get more “hands-on” experience in the industry, he interned at a wineries in Australia, New Zealand, Napa and Sonoma, including Kosta Browne Winery here in Sonoma County.
CJ Chenoweth
Vineyard Specialist
As the eldest of the next generation, CJ has quite literally grown up among the vines at Chenoweth. From riding tractors as a kid to walking vineyard rows with a grower’s eye, he’s been rooted in the family business from the beginning.
Today, CJ works alongside Charlie as the Vineyard Operations Manager, playing a key role in the day-to-day management of Chenoweth Vineyards. He’s instrumental in delivering top-tier fruit—both for Chenoweth Wines and for the winemakers who rely on Chenoweth grapes for their own labels. With a deep respect for the land and a drive to keep things running at the highest level, CJ is helping carry the family legacy forward, one vintage at a time.
