As the daughter of Davis Bynum, a pioneer of Russian River Valley and pinot noir, I grew up in the vineyards and cellar. My veins practically run with red wine. Now it is my turn to live up to the legacy my dad created.
My dad founded Davis Bynum Winery in 1965, but was a home winemaker for several years before. He and my mom settled in Sonoma in 1973. My dad first worked as a reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle before the vineyards beckoned him. He earned his degree in History at Stanford and at UC, Berkeley.
He was the first to build a winery on Westside Road, the first to bottle a single-vineyard-designated Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, and was the first vintner to make wine from the famous vineyard, Rochioli Vineyard. My dad also started a futures program in 1966. His efforts to promote organic farming won him the Sonoma Green Business Certificate of Compliance.
He single-handedly brought the AVA system to Russian River Valley from Burgundy and other regions of France. He learned of the importance of appellation and the conveyance of quality it adds from his travels. He spent his entire winemaking career building the reputation for the Russian River Valley. He sold Davis Bynum Winery to Rodney Strong Vineyards in 2007.
And here I am now, trying to fill those big shoes. I have him to thank for my knowledge and experience I can bring to Susie Bynum Wines. I look forward to working hard and continuing the Bynum legacy in Sonoma County!