Trade
Trade
I want to thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard and Native9. I hope these resources will be helpful to you in further explaining our vision, history and products.
PRESS
- Santa Maria Sun
- Wines and Vines Interview
- West Coast Wine
- Grape Radio Interview
- Wine Taste TV Interview
BIOGRAPHIES
James Ontiveros, Viticulturist & Owner
James Ontiveros is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo with dual degrees in Fruit Science and Crop Science, as well as a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program, Class XXXI. In addition to maintaining Rancho Ontiveros, he has come full circle as Director of Sales and Marketing at Bien Nacido Vineyard, located on one of the original Ontiveros family land grants. He has served in both large and small scale vineyard management, including service as Southern Sonoma Manager of Vineyard Operations for Gallo of Sonoma in the Russian River and Sonoma Coast appellations. He is an active advocate for local agriculture, seeing vast, untapped viticultural potential in the ranches around Santa Maria, and working to elevate the valleys burgeoning reputation as a world-class region for wine.
Paul Wilkins, Winemaker
Paul Wilkins and James Ontiveros' friendship began when both were students at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo. As founders of a small wine appreciation group on campus called "Vines to Wines," they visited Central Coast wineries and became acquainted with standout winemakers such as Kenneth Volk and Richard Sanford. After graduation, Paul went on to work for Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley and was eventually offered the position of assistant winemaker. After eight years with Alban - and after falling out of touch with James Ontiveros - Paul left the winery to pursue consulting winemaker positions, one of which led him to source fruit from the Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard and regain contact with his longtime friend. He now partners with James to produce Pinot Noir for the Native9 and Alta Maria labels, as well as his own Rhone label to be released in 2010.
Robert Shufelt, Native9 Label Artist
New Mexico cowboy artist Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt graphite drawings have become an important thread in the fabric of Western Art, earning worldwide recognition. His work illuminates the bare bones of an artist's craft and portrays the physical evidence of his perception. They are celebrations of a dreamer who has allowed his dream to become reality with all its grit and honesty, yet he still finds the work endlessly interesting and satisfying. He has an artist's vision of cowboys as they can only be around another cowboy, unposed and unself-conscious. They are men who practice their vision of superiority in whatever they do, leaving it up to the rest of us to determine whether they're working or playing. These disciples of the "cowboy way" are Shoofly's top hands and his work is forever honored by their friendship.
James Ontiveros is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo with dual degrees in Fruit Science and Crop Science, as well as a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program, Class XXXI. In addition to maintaining Rancho Ontiveros, he has come full circle as Director of Sales and Marketing at Bien Nacido Vineyard, located on one of the original Ontiveros family land grants. He has served in both large and small scale vineyard management, including service as Southern Sonoma Manager of Vineyard Operations for Gallo of Sonoma in the Russian River and Sonoma Coast appellations. He is an active advocate for local agriculture, seeing vast, untapped viticultural potential in the ranches around Santa Maria, and working to elevate the valleys burgeoning reputation as a world-class region for wine.
Paul Wilkins, Winemaker
Paul Wilkins and James Ontiveros' friendship began when both were students at Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo. As founders of a small wine appreciation group on campus called "Vines to Wines," they visited Central Coast wineries and became acquainted with standout winemakers such as Kenneth Volk and Richard Sanford. After graduation, Paul went on to work for Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley and was eventually offered the position of assistant winemaker. After eight years with Alban - and after falling out of touch with James Ontiveros - Paul left the winery to pursue consulting winemaker positions, one of which led him to source fruit from the Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard and regain contact with his longtime friend. He now partners with James to produce Pinot Noir for the Native9 and Alta Maria labels, as well as his own Rhone label to be released in 2010.
Robert Shufelt, Native9 Label Artist
New Mexico cowboy artist Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt graphite drawings have become an important thread in the fabric of Western Art, earning worldwide recognition. His work illuminates the bare bones of an artist's craft and portrays the physical evidence of his perception. They are celebrations of a dreamer who has allowed his dream to become reality with all its grit and honesty, yet he still finds the work endlessly interesting and satisfying. He has an artist's vision of cowboys as they can only be around another cowboy, unposed and unself-conscious. They are men who practice their vision of superiority in whatever they do, leaving it up to the rest of us to determine whether they're working or playing. These disciples of the "cowboy way" are Shoofly's top hands and his work is forever honored by their friendship.