Our Family

Santa Rosa Boutique Winery

We are a small, boutique Sonoma winery producing Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier. We have elected to prize quality over all other factors. Simply put, we think wine should taste great — with every vintage and every grape, this is our ultimate priority and our greatest motivation.

We believe that the best wines are not made but discovered. We take pride in harnessing the greatest qualities and natural variations in a vineyard and a variety. We make wine with patience, embracing the mystery of what nature gives us.

You should be passionate about what you do. That’s why our wines are all about the celebration of life.

Joe Donelan

Founder

Joe began his journey of wine discovery in the 1980s, led by an inspired sommelier at Toppers Restaurant on Nantucket. His love of wine soon led him on a journey to California, where he established a wine business that is now called Donelan Family Wines.

For Joe, exceptional wines gives all of us a personal connection to the land, to nature and the people who make it. He personally calls all new customers and hand-writes thank you notes for each order, whether it’s a single bottle or ten cases. Read Joe’s full bio.

Joe Donelan

Wine should be fun and about exploration, shared with family and friends. Surround yourself with good wines and good people.

Tripp Donelan

Director of Sales

As Donelan‘s director of sales, Tripp is focused on educating novices and oenophiles alike on his family’s commitment to producing the best wines Sonoma County has to offer. Echoing his family’s dedication to exceptional customer service, Tripp ensures each bottle of wine is delivered with the same level of care that went into its production.

Exposure early in his childhood to some of the world’s finest wines helped cultivate a growing interest in epicurean affairs, that today Tripp still fosters through scallop diving, fishing and his work at the winery. Read Tripp’s full bio.

Tripp Donelan

It’s all about attention to detail. That’s the only way to be consistent vintage after vintage.

Cushing Donelan

Director of Marketing

Cushing brings his diverse experience in brand development and entertainment production to Donelan Family Wines. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Cushing saw the opportunity to enhance the brand’s evolution and create new partnerships, and was eager to dig his hands into the family business.

Truly a man of many interests, Cushing studied art history and studio art in college, served as Executive Assistant to actor Matthew McConaughey and his company (j.k. livin productions), and continues to be an Executive Producer with oneinarow productions. Read Cushing’s full bio.

Cushing

Working for the Donelan family has been such a pleasure. Joe Donelan is committed to making the best possible wines from hidden gems in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. He stands by his work of only making wines that are ‘As with five pluses.’

David Milner

Head Winemaker
David was born and raised in Northern California in a suburban town known as Fairfield. While David was attending Sonoma State University, his roommate worked for a local winery and would bring home wine to taste almost daily. This exposure to wine allowed David to discover its qualities and “ignite the spark.” He was surprised at how much there was to learn, and from then on, he was hooked.

 

The fermentation bug bit David while he was taking an undergraduate brewing class. He continued to hone his skills over batches of home brewed beer with a few friends, and it left David looking for a new challenge. He had a stint in cheesemaking, but wine would eventually become his real passion. Read David’s full bio.

Family and wine are the ultimate pairing

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