Celebrating the Spirit of Napa Valley’s Original Founders.

Founder’s Ranch, established in the heart of Napa Valley near the town of St. Helena, celebrates the spirit of Napa Valley’s original founders… it was here, in 1875, that a group of influential vintners came together to create the St. Helena Viticultural Club, with the shared mission to create world-class wines in Napa Valley. These pioneering founders set the course for Napa’s famed reputation through their tireless crusade to find the ideal varietals to grow in Napa’s best terroir. Equally importantly, their collaborative spirit created the strong winemaking community that led Napa Valley to become one of the worlds most renowned winemaking destinations. Their founding spirit and determination endures today through Founder’s Ranch 1875.

FoundersTweed.png
 

“Founder’s Ranch is an incredible site in St. Helena. The beauty and vibrancy of the barn and vineyard are reflected in these exquisite wines.”

— Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor

BarnWide copy.jpg

Our Wines

This collection of wines highlights the unique and impressive terroirs of Napa Valley while imbuing the founding spirit of the St. Helena Viticultural Club into each one. The red Wines have a touch of St. Helena fruit from the Founder’s Ranch vineyard. Originally planted in the late 1900s and returned to vineyards in the 1960s, the land and its historical barn are uniquely positioned on the southern edge of St. Helena on gravelly alluvial fan soils with excellent drainage. It is currently undergoing certification to become Certified Napa Green, Organic, and Biodynamic.

 
BrandIcons.png
 
shutterstock_524586193.jpg

Commitment to Organic

and Biodynamic Practices

Our role as viticulturists and winemakers is to steward the land… to carefully observe, listen and embrace the rhythms of nature in order for our actions and ourselves to vibrate with their purpose. We take to heart the Native American proverb that “we do not inherit this land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” With this in mind, we focus on sustainable, organic, and Biodynamic farming practices. Founder’s Ranch is certified CCOF Organic and certified Biodynamic® by Demeter, and we encourage all our growers to follow sustainable practices. Symbolizing this belief and practice is the Founder’s Ranch logo.

Thane-Harvest_Portrait_0162.jpg

Thane Knutson, Winemaker

Thane Knutson was born and raised in Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in International Business and along the way, he discovered his love of fermentation after making a batch of wine in his dorm room closet. The science and art of fermentation captivated Thane so much so, that he picked up a job at the local winery in Slaughterville, Oklahoma.

Deciding to dive into the wine world further, he made the move to the West Coast and worked his first harvest in 2006 at Cakebread Cellars followed by two years honing his skills at the Hess Collection Winery. Thane joined Raymond Vineyards in 2009, in the same year that Jean-Charles Boisset purchased the winery, where he is involved in all aspects of wine production under Director of Winemaking Stephanie Putnam and Consulting Winemaker Philippe Melka.