Shenandoah
Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley
and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where
Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab.
Leon's gift for home winemaking led him to leave Lockheed
and begin a new career as a Winemaker.
The selection of a winery site in the Shenandoah Valley
of Amador County was well researched. Leon and Shirley and
their six children moved to the old Steiner Ranch, outside
Plymouth, CA, planted a vineyard, and converted the old
stone garage to the Shenandoah Vineyards winery. Sobon Estate
was formed with the purchase of the D'Agostini winery in
1989.
Over the years, Leon garnered many National and International
awards for Sobon Estate and Shenandoah Vineyards wines.
Both family label wines are distributed nationally, and
in Canada and Japan. Leon is widely recognized as a leader
in the wine industry and has actively participated in many
industry boards and committees. He is also sought after
as a judge for many prestigeous wine tasting competitions.
Today ... the winemaking and business aspects continue to
be a family affair. Shirley is the lead Tasting Room, Gallery
& Museum Manager. Two sons and one son-in-law currently
work full time for the business: Tom Quinn in Sales and
Marketing, Paul Sobon as the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager,
and Robert Sobon as Business Systems Manager. Shirley and
Leon continue to be involved part time.
Paul Sobon WINEMAKER & VINEYARD
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Paul
Sobon has been in the Wine Industry since the family founded
Shenandoah Vineyards. In addition to hands on work at the
winery, his studies included UC Davis’ highly respected
Eunology / Viticulture Extension program. Before starting
full time with the family business in 1983, he traveled extensively
in Europe and Australia’s wine producing regions. He
studied Australian, Burgundian, and Bordelaise techniques
of wine making and grape growing with Vincent Fabre of Chateau
Lamothe Cissac in Bordeaux, France, and Stuart Anderson of
Balgownie Winery, in Southeastern Australia.
Since 1983, he has been directly involved in the daily
operations and growth of the 40,000 case winery and 125
acres of Sustainably-farmed Wine Grapes. Paul also owns
and manages his own small Zinfandel vineyard with his wife
and daughter. This vineyard produces the much lauded ReZerve
‘Paul’s Vineyard’ Zinfandel.
Paul is currently a Director of the Amador Vintners Association,
and a professional member of the American Society of Enology
& Viticulture.
Robert Sobon BUSINESS SYSTEMS MANAGER
Robert
Sobon grew up in the winery and chose a career focused on
office operations. He attended Chico State University where
he majored in Accounting and Business Applications.
Today, he manages the Business Accounting and Computer
Operations for both wineries, the Tasting Room, and day-to-day
office operations. Along with his office duties, Robert
balances his busy life with a dedication to family and civic
responsibilities. He is a past Director of the Amador Vintners
Association, and is presently a director of Family Winemakers
of California.
Tom Quinn WEST COAST SALES & MARKETING
Tom Quinn was a wine sales rep in the Bay Area when he met
Caroline Sobon. The pair eventually married and Tom came on
board to put his superior industry knowledge to work marketing
Sobon Family wines. Today Tom is one of the most respected
wine reps in Northern California, and is responsible for our
wine sales up and down the West Coast.
The Future
We have worked hard to gain recognition for the quality of our
wines and their value. Our goals are to retain the loyalty of
our long-time supporters and to welcome new ones with continued
production of first-class affordable wines. Passion to excel
is our byword, and we will never lose that "fire"
and the commitment to touch each customer’s heart and palate.
Below: (left to right) Robert Sobon, Leon Sobon, Shirley
Sobon & Paul Sobon
Shenandoah
Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley
and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where
Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab.
Leon's gift for home winemaking led him to leave Lockheed
and begin a new career as a Winemaker.
Paul
Sobon has been in the Wine Industry since the family founded
Shenandoah Vineyards. In addition to hands on work at the
winery, his studies included UC Davis’ highly respected
Eunology / Viticulture Extension program. Before starting
full time with the family business in 1983, he traveled extensively
in Europe and Australia’s wine producing regions. He
studied Australian, Burgundian, and Bordelaise techniques
of wine making and grape growing with Vincent Fabre of Chateau
Lamothe Cissac in Bordeaux, France, and Stuart Anderson of
Balgownie Winery, in Southeastern Australia. 
Robert
Sobon grew up in the winery and chose a career focused on
office operations. He attended Chico State University where
he majored in Accounting and Business Applications.
Tom Quinn was a wine sales rep in the Bay Area when he met
Caroline Sobon. The pair eventually married and Tom came on
board to put his superior industry knowledge to work marketing
Sobon Family wines. Today Tom is one of the most respected
wine reps in Northern California, and is responsible for our
wine sales up and down the West Coast.
