In a long and varied fine wine career, founder Dennis Fife was president of Inglenook Napa Valley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Beaulieu Vineyards, and held the title of Consigliari at Stags' Leap Winery—all legendary estates in California wine history.
In 1991, he realized a longtime dream and launched Fife Vineyards in Napa Valley. In 1996, he acquired a winery and vineyard in Mendocino to expand the Rhône varieties program.
Co-owner Karen MacNeil is widely published food and wine writer, author of the award-winning book "The Wine Bible", Chairman for Professional Wine Studies Program at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, host of a 13-part public television series entitled "Wine, Food, and Friends with Karen MacNeil", and winner of the "Oscar" for wine—the 2004 "Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year" award granted by the James Beard Foundation.
Dennis and Karen believe strongly that wines should express the personalities of the vineyards from which they come.