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
meet THE makers
AMY chenoweth,
“The Maker”
Ask Amy Chenoweth about her winemaking philosophy and she’ll skip the fluff and tell you exactly how it is:
“Start with epic grapes… and don’t screw it up.”
Her winemaking story begins where every great bottle begins—in the vineyard. Long before she was known for crafting small-lot Pinot Noir, Amy was fully immersed in the day-to-day rhythm of vineyard life. Working in her family’s vineyard management business, she helped farm fruit for some of the most admired wines in Sonoma County. That work shaped her understanding of what truly matters: intention, patience, and respect for the land.
Amy eventually blended her hands-on experience with formal training at UC Davis, but her style has always been guided by instinct and hard-won vineyard wisdom. She learned to trust what the vines were telling her, to let the fruit lead, and to keep her approach honest and uncomplicated.
In 2010, Amy launched Chenoweth Wines with a tiny release—just fifty cases of Pinot Noir from the family’s hillside vineyard in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. That first vintage wasn’t about building a brand; it was about capturing a place she loved and sharing it in the purest way possible.
What began as a small, heartfelt project has grown into a 600-case boutique winery with a loyal following. Amy still keeps production intentionally limited, allowing her to stay hands-on and true to her vineyard-first philosophy. Every bottle is shaped by the same spirit that fueled her from the beginning: the belief that great wine comes from great farming, and the winemaker’s job is simply to honor that.
Her wines reflect where she comes from—rooted in Sonoma County soil, grounded in grit and family legacy, and brought to life with a mix of skill, intuition, and a whole lot of dirt-on-the-boots dedication.
Chenoweth Wines isn’t about mass production or chasing trends.
It’s about making wines with heart, hustle, and honesty—bottles that feel personal because they truly are.
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 spark plug of the Chenoweth crew. As head of marketing and sales, she keeps the brand buzzing, the guests smiling, and the team laughing even on the wild harvest days.
She’s got a knack for turning chaos into charm, stories into sales, and everyday moments into something memorable. If Chenoweth Wines has momentum, excitement, or a little extra sparkle… odds are, Kyra sprinkled it there.
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.
