RON MCMANIS, PRESIDENT AND CO-OWNER
Ron McManis graduated from Modesto High School in 1979 and joined the McManis family business, becoming the fourth generation to farm in California’s northern interior. His father, Paul W. McManis Jr., a successful Stanislaus County farmer, grew almonds, peaches, and wine grapes, and sold the grapes to many of the wineries in the region. Ron first learned about growing grapes working with his father in the late 1970s and early 80’s; he fell in love with grape growing and determined to learn all he could about producing premium wine grapes.
He married Jamie Self in 1986 and the two worked together in the McManis farming business, sharpening their business and marketing skills. In 1990, Ron and Jamie formed a corporation, RJM Enterprises, Inc. and purchased their first vineyard, known as River Junction Vineyards. In 1994, they created another new company, McManis Family Vineyards, Inc. In 1995, the new company began custom crushing grapes from family-owned and managed vineyards, selling the bulk wine to several North Coast wineries.
Ron McManis is President and Co-Owner of McManis Family Vineyards and believes the most important goal of the company is to produce a great bottle of wine at a fair price, offering consumers a consistently well-made product vintage to vintage. He takes pride in the accomplishments of his family and employees and appreciates their achievements.
Ron is a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program Class of XXI, and in 1997 he was selected by the California Jaycees as an Outstanding Young Farmer. He is a current member and past Board Member of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, a member of the California Wine Institute, the Wine Market Council, and the California Farm Bureau.
Ron and Jamie have two children, Justin (Stefanie) McManis and Tanya, and son-in-law, Dirk Heuvel. All three currently work full time at McManis Family Vineyards.
JAMIE MCMANIS, VICE-PRESIDENT AND CO-OWNER
Jamie Self met Ron McManis in 1985. Jamie’s mother introduced her to Ron while working in the family office, and they were married in 1986. Following their marriage, Jamie began working with Ron in the McManis farming business, growing almonds, peaches and grapes; in 1994 they formed McManis Family Vineyards, Inc.
Jamie is Vice-President and Co-Owner of McManis Family Vineyards, and supports the goal of the company to produce great wines. She is responsible for all winery administration and oversees the development of the McManis Family Vineyards case goods program. She also takes time out and enjoys talking to their many fans on the MFV Facebook page.
Jamie is a past member of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and the Soroptimist Club of Ripon. She has helped with fundraising for many charitable organizations in the area and served on several committees in the past. A dedicated animal lover, Jamie’s busy household includes four dogs and a cat.
McManis Family Vineyards
Winery Facts
The McManis family has been farming in the northern interior region of California for five generations. In 1990, fourth generation farmer Ron McManis, and his wife Jamie founded the McManis Family Vineyards. Currently, they farm over 2,700 acres of premium wine grapes located within the premier growing areas of the northern interior. In 1998, the company designed and built a state-of-the-art winery and today the McManis Family Vineyards label comprises a range of red and white varietals sourced from ten estate vineyards. Son Justin, and daughter Tanya, are the fifth generation of the McManis family and are also involved in the family business.
McManis Family Vineyards is known for premium grape growing practices: the use of select rootstocks and clones, specially chosen to perform well in the soils and sub-climates of the northern interior, in combination with labor intensive fruit management techniques, such as leaf pulling and cluster thinning. The company is committed to sustainable farming practices and has recently achieved “green” winery certification through the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing program for all of its vineyards.
The McManis Family Vineyards estate winery, started in 1998, provides the perfect environment to apply “small winery” techniques to winemaking: individual and small lot fermentation and oak aging. This innovative method of winemaking is unique to a winery of this production capacity and produces excellent finished wines meant to be enjoyed when young, with juicy flavors, freshness and balance.
Winemaking Philosophy
WINEMAKING SUMMARY
Surrounded by lush vineyards, the McManis Family Vineyards (MFV) winery is located on a 40-acre site near the town of Ripon, in California’s abundant northern interior. Constructed in 1998, the large-capacity winery is dedicated to producing high quality wines with “small winery” methods.
Mike Robustelli is responsible for all winery operations on a daily basis and for leading the winemaking team on all the McManis Family Vineyard wine programs. Our winemaking team includes Justin McManis.
Red Wine Program
All red grape varieties for McManis Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Barbera, are harvested mid-day to provide a robust start to fermentation at warmer temperatures. Introduced to oak through a proprietary process, the resulting red ‘must’ receives 7-9 days of fermentation in stainless steel, is pressed off, and then moved to a second tank to complete fermentation. Red wines complete both alcoholic and malo-lactic fermentations.
All white grape varieties for McManis Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Viognier, are harvested in cool night temperatures to ensure the fruit arrives cold at the winery. The grapes are crushed as soon as they arrive and are immediately pressed; the juice is allowed to settle overnight and then it is racked and fermented cold until dry.
The group of employees who help make it all possible.
David Mesa & Manuel Moreno - Bottling Line Managers
Greg Cardey graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He has a background in Agriculture and currently oversees all financial aspects of McManis Family Vineyards.
Winemaker
Winemaker Mike Robustelli
McManis Family Vineyard's Winemaker, Mike Robustelli, brings over 18 years of winemaking knowledge and experience to McManis Family Vineyards. Mike understands the needs and concerns of our winery customers, and plays a leading role in delivering the quality that customers have come to expect from McManis Family Vineyards.
"By keeping the lots small, we really can do a number of setups," Mike says. "We can treat each tank differently with regard to yeast, fermentation, temperature, oak, how long they stay on the lees. We've built as much flexibility as we can into each individual element of the process."
McManis Family Vineyards' President, Ron McManis, says, "The benefit of having someone like Mike on staff is that there is always someone here to look after the wines. If they have concerns about a batch of wine, our staff has someone they can discuss the problems with and help them both understand and reach a solution."
Mike has a degree in Enology from California State University, Fresno and has been part of the McManis Family Vineyards team since the 1999 harvest.