In 1972, when Koerner and Joan Rombauer moved their two children, two horses and five dogs to Napa Valley, they were already well acquainted with the natural relationship between food and wine. Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote the internationally renowned cookbook, The Joy of Cooking, and his German ancestors had deep roots in the winegrowing region of Rheingau.

Koerner and Joan established Rombauer Vineyards in 1980, and in 1984 they released their first California-style Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Four decades later–and still family owned–the winery has become widely acclaimed for its distinctive, fruit-driven expressions.