Forlorn Hope Wines

What Forlorn Hope Wines does

Forlorn Hope Wines is a privately-held, founder-owned artisanal winery established in 2005 by winemaker Matthew Rorick, operated from Napa, California, with a 75-acre estate vineyard — Rorick Heritage Vineyard — in Calaveras County in the Sierra Foothills at 2,000 feet elevation on schist-over-limestone soils. The company produces naturally-farmed, minimal-intervention wines from rare and uncommon grape varieties (Trousseau, Mondeuse, Vermentino, Chenin Blanc, Picpoul, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and 50-year-old own-rooted Wente Chardonnay), all hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented with native yeasts, unfined, unfiltered, and bottled with minimal sulfur. Production is intentionally limited to micro-lots ranging from 25 to 83 cases per wine.

The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer sales flow through the e-commerce website (pricing $25–$50 per bottle) with US-wide shipping, a two-tier wine club (Menagerie: 6 bottles twice yearly at ~$200–$250 per shipment; Bestiary: 12 bottles at ~$400–$450 per shipment) providing recurring revenue, and the Outland tasting room at 920 Franklin Street in downtown Napa. Wholesale distribution to restaurants and bottle shops runs through regional partners across 20+ US states and 5+ countries under the Queen of the Sierra sub-brand, which is sold exclusively through wholesale channels. The customer base is split between sophisticated wine enthusiasts and collectors seeking rare varietals and natural, terroir-driven wines, and on-premise/retail accounts supplied through wholesale distributors.

The business is differentiated by non-replicable assets: a Historic Vineyard Society-recognized vineyard with potentially the oldest own-rooted Chardonnay in California, distinctive alpine terroir, and a portfolio of pre-Prohibition and rare varietals that cannot be sourced elsewhere. Matthew Rorick and Mara Rorick jointly manage daily operations, supported by a General Manager (Alex Leonardini) at the Outland tasting room. The company has no institutional funding, no parent company, and no disclosed revenue, operating as an independent lifestyle-scale winery with structural supply constraints rather than demand-driven growth ambitions.

Name

Forlorn Hope Wines

Legal name

Forlorn Hope Wines

Website

https://forlornhopewines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forlorn Hope Wines is a founder-owned artisanal winery producing limited quantities of natural, minimal-intervention wines from rare grape varieties grown at Rorick Heritage Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills, sold DTC via website, wine club, and tasting room, and wholesale via regional distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Estate Wines

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB), Wine Grape Vineyard Operations (Varietal/AVA Practices, Yield & Quality Targets) (AFAGAJAJ), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE)

Keywords

• Estate wine production
• Natural winemaking
• Wine club subscription
• Wine tasting room
• Wholesale wine distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Napa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Wine Sales: E-commerce sales of individual bottles and cases shipped directly to consumers across the US. Pricing ranges from $25-$50 per bottle depending on wine type and rarity.
2. Wine Club Membership: Recurring semi-annual subscription model with two tiers: Menagerie Club (6 bottles, ~$200-250/shipment) and Bestiary Club (12 bottles, ~$400-450/shipment). Includes discounts, complimentary tastings, and access to library wines.
3. Wholesale Distribution: Sales to restaurants and bottle shops through distribution partners. The Queen of the Sierra wines are sold exclusively through wholesale to local bottle shops and restaurants worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Forlorn Hope Wines is a single-estate winery producing organically farmed, hand-harvested wines from Rorick Heritage Vineyard, a 75-acre estate in Calaveras County, Sierra Foothills at 2,000 feet elevation on schist over dolomite-rich limestone soils. The winery specializes in rare and uncommon grape varieties (Trousseau Noir, Mondeuse, Vermentino, skin-fermented Pinot Gris, Picpoul, Chenin Blanc, and historic own-rooted Wente Chardonnay) made with minimal-intervention natural winemaking using native yeasts, no new oak, and unfined/unfiltered bottling. Wines are sold via direct-to-consumer e-commerce, a two-tier wine club subscription, and wholesale distribution to restaurants and bottle shops across 20+ US states and 5+ countries.

Product overview

Forlorn Hope Wines is a single-brand wine producer featuring two wine collections: the Forlorn Hope core brand of 'Rare Creatures' wines available direct-to-consumer through the website, and the Queen of the Sierra wholesale sub-brand sold exclusively through distribution partners. The portfolio centers on rare and uncommon grape varieties grown at Rorick Heritage Vineyard (75 acres in Calaveras County, Sierra Foothills at 2000ft elevation on limestone/schist soils), including distinctive expressions like skin-fermented Pinot gris (Dragone Ramato), Trousseau Noir, Mondeuse, Vermentino, Picpoul, Chenin Blanc, and historic own-rooted Chardonnay. The company supplements direct sales with a two-tier wine club (Menagerie Club 6-bottle and Bestiary Club 12-bottle options) offering exclusive access to library wines, unreleased vintages, and complimentary tastings at their Outland tasting room in Napa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Queen of the Sierra Wines: Estate wines from Rorick Heritage Vineyard, organically farmed, hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, unfiltered and unfined. Sold wholesale to distribution partners worldwide.

Products and services

• Forlorn Hope Wines (Core Brand) The 'Rare Creatures' collection of estate wines from Rorick Heritage Vineyard, featuring rare and uncommon grape varieties. All wines are organically farmed, hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented with native yeasts, unfined, unfiltered, with minimal sulfur. Sold direct-to-consumer through the website.
• Queen of the Sierra Wines (Wholesale Sub-brand) Estate wines sold exclusively through wholesale distribution to restaurants and bottle shops. Includes Rosé, Amber, White, Red, and Co-Ferment expressions made from 100% estate-grown fruit at Rorick Heritage Vineyard. Only available through distributors and retail/restaurant partners.
• Menagerie Club (6 Bottle Wine Club) Subscription wine club delivering 6 bottles twice yearly (Spring and Fall). Average $200-250 per shipment plus tax and shipping. Includes 10% discount on wine club shipments and additional purchases, complimentary tastings at Outland tasting room, and access to library wines, magnums, and member-exclusive releases.
• Bestiary Club (12 Bottle Wine Club) Premium subscription wine club delivering 12 bottles twice yearly. Average $400-450 per shipment plus tax and shipping. Includes 15% discount on wine club shipments and additional purchases, complimentary tastings at Outland tasting room, and member-only event invitations.
• Outland Tasting Room Downtown Napa tasting room at 920 Franklin Street offering complimentary tastings for wine club members. Open Fridays through Mondays, 1-7pm. Club pickup available for wine club shipments.
• 2021 Chardonnay Ownrooted, 50 year old Wente First release from exclusively 50-year-old own-rooted Wente Chardonnay vines, possibly the oldest own-rooted Chardonnay in California. Recognized by Historic Vineyard Society of California. $38 per 750mL.
• 2024 Bianco di grigio Pinot grigio First white wine made from Pinot gris at the vineyard (previously only made as Ramato skin-fermented style). Pressed and fermented in neutral oak after light treading. $32 per 750mL (6+ bottles at $25).
• 2023 Dragone Ramato Skin fermented Pinot Gris Copper-hued skin-fermented Pinot gris made in traditional Italian Ramato style. Named after the Dragone family who lived on the estate in early 1900s. $34 per 750mL.
• 2021 Juresque Trousseau Noir + Pinot Noir Blend inspired by Jura region's three main grapes (Trousseau + Pinot noir, awaiting Poulsard). Clone 115 Pinot noir adds structure and refined tannins. 83 cases produced at 12% alcohol. $36 per 750mL.
• 2019 C Ghost Mondeuse Dark, tannic Mondeuse with aromatics of dark fruit compote, lilac, and sandalwood. Made from Carole Meredith and Steve Lagier cutting. Aged 5 years in neutral barrel. $38 per 750mL.
• 2015 Nacré Semillon Hunter Valley-style Semillon from 1950s vines in Napa Valley, dry-farmed by Hoxsey family. Aged 7+ years in bottle before release. Named for mother-of-pearl, ideal with oysters. $30 per 750mL.
• 2021 Baron Von Verm Vermentino Vermentino from steep, SE-facing schist slopes at 2000ft elevation. Lemony, herbaceous with olive brininess. Only 2 barrels produced due to small crop. $35 per 750mL.
• 2023 Bisamratten Skin fermented Muscat Blanc Skin-fermented Muscat Blanc with playfully named 'muskrat' label. Delicately aromatic with wild pea shoots, mandarin, tropical fruits. Currently SOLD OUT.
• 2021 ODB Trousseau Noir Trousseau Noir propagated from UC Davis Jackson Research Station cuttings recovered in 1989, returning the grape to Sierra Foothills after nearly a century. Mushroom, forest floor, sour watermelon character.
• 2020 Asino Santo Sans Soufre Barbera No-sulfur-added Barbera, 'The Sainted Ass.' Darker, richer style with damson plums, black cherry, olive brininess. Light oxidation during 2 years in barrel.
• 2020 San Hercurmer delle Frecce Barbera Named after a mini-donkey from Fiddletown who survived being shot with arrows. 100% Barbera. $38 per 750mL.
• 2017 Blanc de noir First wine made by Matthew and Mara Rorick together. 100% Pinot noir sparkling wine aged 7 years en tirage. Extra Brut style with red summer berries. Label features artwork by Swiss artist Vronika Von Manz. $50 per 750mL.
• 2020 Sparkling Rosé of Mondeuse Traditional Method Traditional method sparkling rosé, 100% estate-grown Mondeuse. Hand-picked at ~19° Brix, spent 10 months in barrel then en tirage until April 2024 disgorgement with zero dosage. 50 cases at 12% alcohol. $48 per 750mL.
• 2020 Trobairises Picpoul High-acid Picpoul from limestone soils, last grape harvested each vintage (hangs until 20° Brix). Brininess, green apple, pineapple with beeswax and salted caramel notes.
• 2021 Chenin Blanc Reintroduced to vineyard in 2014 from Story Vineyard cuttings (late 1970s planting). Bright citrus, lanolin, lemon mochi, yellow apple skins. Aged 3 years in neutral barrique.
• 2021 Riesling RHV First estate Riesling from Rorick Heritage Vineyard. Three separate plantings including massale selection from Stony Hill's famed 1948 Napa Valley planting. Wet straw, chamomile, star fruit, wet slate, green mint. 25 cases at 13% alcohol.
• 2019 Grenache Non Partagé Full-submersion fermentation Grenache (submerging grapes under juice for entire fermentation) creating deeper color and flavor intensity. Gigondas-style structure. Aged 3 years hogshead plus 2 years bottle. Requires decanting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Wines recognized in Vine Pair Best Red Blends 2024
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• La Clarine FarmminorOthersFarming partner that grows grapes at Rorick Heritage Vineyard and produces their own wines. Part of the network of winemakers utilizing fruit from the 75-acre estate.
• Jamiee Motley WinesminorOthersWinemaker producing wines from Rorick Heritage Vineyard grapes. Part of the community of winemakers connected to the estate.
• Ruth Lewandowski WinesminorOthersWinery utilizing Rorick Heritage Vineyard fruit. One of several winemakers in the RHV ecosystem.
• Turley Wine CellarsminorOthersWell-known winery producing Zinfandel and other varietals. Sources fruit from Rorick Heritage Vineyard.
• Revel WinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia distribution partner for Forlorn Hope Wines. Brings Queen of the Sierra wines to restaurants and bottle shops throughout California.
• T. Edward WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner covering New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania markets.
• Proof Wine + SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for North Carolina and South Carolina markets.
• Rootstock WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTexas distribution partner for Forlorn Hope Wines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Broc Cellars: Berkeley natural winery using native yeasts, minimal sulfur, and unconventional varietals from California vineyards. Highly comparable in low-intervention philosophy, small-lot production, and founder-led DTC/club distribution.
• La Clarine Farm: Sierra Foothills natural winery co-farming Rorick Heritage Vineyard. Direct operational peer given shared vineyard, similar low-intervention approach, and parallel small-lot release model.
• Dirty & Rowdy Family Winery: California natural winery focusing on field blends and rare varietals with minimal intervention. Comparable on unconventional blends, skin-contact whites, and DTC/club-driven distribution model.
• Ruth Lewandowski Wines: Utah-based natural winemaker already sourcing fruit from Rorick Heritage Vineyard. Strong comparable on low-intervention, terroir-driven, small-production California wines and overlapping distribution philosophy.
• Donkey & Goat Winery: A Berkeley-based, founder-owned natural winery producing low-intervention wines from Rhône and Burgundian varietals across multiple California sites. Closest philosophical and operational peer to Forlorn Hope, with a comparable DTC + wine club + limited-production model.
• Matthiasson Wines: Napa-based producer of restrained, food-friendly, sustainably farmed wines including Italian and unusual varietals. Shares the natural-leaning, terroir-driven, small-production approach and operates in the same Northern California trade ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Lillian Winery: Boutique California producer of handcrafted Rhône-style wines with strong emphasis on vineyard-driven, minimal-intervention winemaking. Comparable through limited production, founder involvement, and collector-focused allocation model.

Broad incumbents

• Turley Wine Cellars: Well-established California Zinfandel specialist with a broad portfolio across many old-vine sites. Already co-grows at Rorick Heritage Vineyard and operates in the same rare-vineyard, old-vine niche at much greater scale.
• Ridge Vineyards: Historic California producer known for single-vineyard wines from old-vine sites and field-blend winemaking traditions. Comparable through its emphasis on historic vineyards, field blends (e.g., Monte Bello), and minimal-intervention winemaking.
• Stags' Leap Winery: Historic Napa Valley estate producer focused on Petite Siravet, Cabernet, and Chardonnay. Larger, well-established peer sharing Napa Valley DTC, tasting room, and wine club infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/forlornhopewines
• Facebookfacebook.com/forlornhopewines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forlorn-hope-wines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forlorn Hope Wines