About Us

Our Winemaker

It was the University of California at Berkeley and a degree in journalism that drew Peter Franus from Connecticut to California in the late sixties. It was also Berkeley’s proximity to Napa Valley that led to his initial intrigue with winemaking. After receiving his degree in viticulture and enology from Cal State Fresno, Peter moved to Napa in early 1980. He has been involved with grape growing and winemaking ever since.

While he was still the winemaker at Mount Veeder Winery, he launched his own Peter Franus brand in 1987. Starting with Zinfandel, he added Cabernet Sauvignon in 1992 and Sauvignon Blanc in 1996. Today his widely recognized label can be found in eighteen states as well as Canada.

Philosophically and stylistically, he relies on intuition and a minimalist approach to winemaking. He believes that the more you manipulate and hover over a wine, the greater the likelihood you will diminish it’s personality and risk creating a wine that resembles the score that are already out there.

Our History

Jim and Diane grew up in the Napa Valley and have a love for quality wines. Jim started making homemade wine in 1980 and planted his first small vineyard in1987. This home winemaking lead him on the search for the highest quality fruit possible. That is where he was fortunate enough to meet Doug Hill. He was so impressed with Doug’s low yield, high quality vineyard philosophy that eventually quit his design engineering job and went to work for Yountville Equipment Company developing vineyards. In 1995 they formed a partnership, Fore-Hill Vineyards and currently farm about 60 acres in Napa. Jim located a mountain top property on Cobb Mountain in Lake County Red Hills and started Fore Family Vineyards in 2000 where he continue to implement those farming practices.

Our Vision

Fore Family vineyards goals are to continue to grow ultra premium wine grapes in a sustainable evergreen manner. We believe that great wine quality is achieved in the field and followed up with care in the cellar.

We invite you to try one of our unique wines from the Fore Family Vineyards.