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Wäldele Family Wines strives to make delicious wine with integrity and approachability and remains committed to education and sustainable practices.
We are located in Sonoma, California, and were founded by Hannes and Bridget Wäldele. You can find our wines in local restaurants in and around Sonoma or you can purchase our wines online.
The Wäldele Family has grown grapevines since 1640 in the foothills of the Black Forest Region in Baden, Germany. The warm weather in the southwest of Germany coming through the Burgundian Gate (also known as the Belfort gap) brings Mediterranian airflow through the Rhone Valley to the foothills of the Black Forest and made it a designated region to plant vineyards early on.
Generations of our Wäldele relatives tilled the land with no machinery, trusting only their family oxen, and hiking up hills with bins of grapes on their backs. These stories inspire us today and also provide perspective on how far winemaking has evolved into modern-day practices.
Hannes was born and raised in Germany’s Black Forest region, where he learned to farm and make wine alongside his family. Like his father, Hannes went to Geisenheim University to become a Winemaker. Fortunately, the wine world is small, and the connection to other top winemaking schools in France, Italy, and California helped Hannes make connections with winemakers around the globe. He has made wine in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and California, where he met his wife, Bridget. Learn about viticulture.
Bridget was born and raised in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country. Her understanding of the local landscape, along with 16+ years of experience working her way up through the industry, brings a partnership that will yield a true expression of both California and Germany. Coming together, the two immediately recognized the shared values of hard work, dedication, and love of family.
“As a child who helped his parents in the vineyards, I learned what it takes to make outstanding wine and the long days and intense work that comes along with it. Back in those days, the best time was break time. The whole family sat down on benches in the vineyard overlooking the Rhine valley, enjoying a nice meal with the wines we crafted but above all, we had each other.”
Though we grew up in two separate countries, we were raised with the same values: working hard for what we want and what we believe in. To have a sense of humor and to be kind in all things.
Today not much has changed; we are at our best when laughing with our friends and family, reminding us never to take ourselves too seriously in life and stay grounded.
Stay up to date with our latest wine releases, achievements, and specials.
