Cline Family Cellars

What Cline Family Cellars does

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned winery founded in 1982 by Fred and Nancy Cline in Oakley, California, now headquartered in Sonoma's Los Carneros region. The company produces a diversified portfolio of wines including Zinfandel, Rhone varieties (Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Viognier), Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others, sourced from ancient 100+ year old Contra Costa County vines, Sonoma estate vineyards, and the Petaluma Gap. The technical backbone rests on the proprietary Green String farming method co-developed by founder Fred Cline, employing wooly weeders (sheep and goats), a compost tea program that reuses 3,000 tons of grape pomace annually, and a solar energy system upgraded in 2018 to offset 100% of winery electricity. The portfolio spans core collections (Single Vineyards, Sonoma AVA, Heritage, Seven Ranchlands, Cashmere, Library Wines) and second-generation sub-brands (Gust, The Sneak), with sister properties Jacuzzi Family Vineyards and The Olive Press, and an import partnership (Cline Sister Imports) with the Casadei Family of Italian wineries.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce shipping across most US states, a no-fee quarterly Pendulum Wine Club subscription with auto-renewal, on-site tasting room and pondside experiences, private events and weddings, a four-bedroom on-site guest house, and wholesale distribution via Southern Glazers, Odom Corporation, and other distributors serving the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Beyond wine, Cline Family Ventures extends into hospitality via the Mizpah Hotel, Belvada Hotel, and Tonopah Brewery in Nevada. Customers include individual wine enthusiasts, wine club members, event hosts, wholesale and retail accounts, and wine tourists; DTC shipping is restricted in 10 US states. Leadership is anchored by CEO John Grant (joined 2020, formerly of Treasury Wine Estates, Constellation, and Kendall Jackson), winemaker Tom Gendall, and four second-generation Cline family members in operations, marketing, finance, and vineyard management roles.

Name

Cline Family Cellars

Legal name

Cline Cellars

Website

https://clinecellars.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned Sonoma winery founded in 1982, producing sustainably farmed Zinfandel, Rhone varietals, and Pinot Noir across California, with revenue from DTC e-commerce, a quarterly wine club, wholesale distribution, on-site tastings, weddings, and a guest house.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wines

NAICS

Wineries (31213), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Producer-Owned Retail & Bottle Shops (On-site) (THAFALAL), Wine Bars (THAFAEAF), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Rhone-style wines
• Sustainable winemaking
• Wine club subscription
• Direct-to-consumer wine
• Tasting room experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Sonoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Wine Sales: Online wine shop selling wines directly to consumers with shipping across most US states. Includes various wine collections and varietals.
2. Wine Club Membership: Quarterly wine club shipments with winemaker selections, member discounts, complimentary tastings, and no membership fees. Two-shipment commitment with auto-renewal.
3. Tasting Room & Experiences: On-site tastings, pondside picnics, cabana rentals, and food pairings at the Sonoma winery location.
4. Private Events & Weddings: Wine country wedding celebrations and corporate/private events hosted at the winery property.
5. Wholesale Distribution: Sales to distributors and retail locations across US states, Canada, Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
6. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including gift packs and gift cards.
7. Guest House Rental: Cline Vineyard Estate Guest House accommodations with complimentary tastings for up to 10 guests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned winery producing sustainably farmed wines from vineyards in Sonoma, Contra Costa County, and the Petaluma Gap. The company sells its wines through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, a quarterly wine club (Pendulum Club), on-site tasting room experiences, a guest house, and private events/weddings, supplemented by wholesale distribution across the US and internationally. Its portfolio spans Zinfandel, Rhone varieties, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other wines organized into named collections (Single Vineyards, Sonoma AVA, Heritage/Ancient Vines, Seven Ranchlands, Cashmere) and sub-brands (Gust, The Sneak).

Product overview

Cline Family Cellars is a family-owned winery in Sonoma, California, founded in 1982. The company produces a diverse portfolio of wines including Zinfandel, Rhone varieties (Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Viognier), Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. The portfolio includes core collections (Single Vineyards, Sonoma AVA, Heritage/Ancient Vines, Seven Ranchlands, Cashmere), sub-brands (Gust, The Sneak), and sister properties (Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, The Olive Press). Beyond wine, the company offers a wine club membership (Pendulum Club), hospitality services including tasting experiences, a guest house rental, private events and weddings, and wine pairing content through Cline Life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gust: Second-generation offshoot of Cline Family Cellars, launched by Megan Cline, Hilary Cline and Tom Gendall, focused on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from the Petaluma Gap appellation.
• The Sneak
• Cashmere
• Seven Ranchlands
• Single Vineyards
• Heritage Collection
• Sonoma AVA Series

Products and services

• Single Vineyards Collection Small-lot wines showcasing the best from Cline's family vineyards, harvested from the finest blocks to express each site's terroir. Targeted at wine enthusiasts seeking site-specific wines.
• Sonoma AVA Series Wines celebrating Sonoma roots, sourced from multi-generation family growers in the best growing regions of Sonoma County. Targeted at consumers seeking varietals representing Sonoma terroir.
• Heritage Collection (Ancient Vines) Rhone-style wines and Zinfandels from 100+ year-old vineyards in Oakley, with smaller yields and richly aromatic, intensely flavored wines. Targeted at collectors of limited-production, old-vine wines.
• Seven Ranchlands Collection Wines honoring Fred and Nancy Cline's farming of seven ranches while raising seven children, meant to be paired with food, family, and friends, reflecting the diverse terroirs of each ranch.
• Cashmere Collection Premium wine collection offering smooth, elegant wines. Targeted at consumers seeking soft, approachable red blends.
• Library Wines Aged wines from the winery's library collection, representing exceptional vintages. Targeted at collectors and enthusiasts seeking older Cline vintages.
• Gust Sub-brand wines focused on small-production Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from Petaluma Gap vineyards. Targeted at consumers and on-premise accounts seeking cool-climate Petaluma Gap wines.
• The Sneak Sub-brand wine blend from Los Carneros estate vineyards celebrating bold living and preserving vineyards worth saving. Targeted at wine drinkers seeking estate Carneros wines with a rebellious story.
• Pendulum Wine Club Subscription wine club with quarterly shipments of winemaker selections. Members receive discounts on wine and retail, complimentary tastings, flat-rate shipping, access to new releases, and exclusive event access — with no membership fees. Targeted at loyal customers seeking curated selections and recurring delivery.
• Cline Winery Guest House 4-bedroom estate guest house on the Carneros winery property accommodating up to 10 guests with King beds and private en-suite bathrooms, pool, hot tub, fire pit, BBQ, and complimentary tastings. Targeted at wine country tourists and small group travelers.
• Tasting Experiences On-site wine tastings at the Sonoma winery including pondsid
• Private Events & Weddings Wine country venue rental at the Sonoma winery for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and private celebrations. Targeted at engaged couples and corporate event planners.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 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 core and minor.

• Cline Sister ImportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Casadei Family of wineries in Italy including Casadei Wines in Suvereto, Olianas in Sardinia, and Castello del Trebbio in Tuscany. Fred Cline and Stefano Casadei share commitment to sustainable land stewardship and family winemaking traditions.
• GustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond-generation offshoot brand co-founded by Megan Cline, Hilary Cline, and Tom Gendall, focused on wines from the Petaluma Gap appellation known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
• The SneakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWine brand launched by Henry Cline in 2022, honoring his grandfather's rebellious spirit. Blend from Los Carneros estate vineyards representing best of the Carneros AVA.
• Jacuzzi Family VineyardscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister property across the street from Cline Cellars, specializing in Italian varietals. Club members receive 10% discount on purchases and complimentary Taste of Italy tasting.
• The Olive PresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister property in the same Italian villa-inspired building as Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, offering artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Club members receive 10% discount on purchases.
• ReCorkminorOthersNorth America's largest natural wine cork recycling program. Cline Cellars collects corks in their tasting room for ReCork to create sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based foams and plastics.
• The Olive PresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister artisan olive oil and balsamic maker. Cline Family Cellars sells gift packs featuring The Olive Press products as part of their gift offerings.
• Guesthouse.clinecellars.comminorOthersCline Vineyard Estate Guest House managed by Cline Family Cellars, offering on-site winery accommodations with complimentary tastings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kendall-Jackson: Large family-owned California winery with a broad varietal portfolio including Zinfandel and Chardonnay, DTC e-commerce, and a wine club — directly comparable in go-to-market and customer segments, though considerably larger in scale.
• Benziger Family Winery: Sonoma County family-owned winery known for biodynamic/sustainable farming and estate-grown wines, with tasting experiences and a wine club — closely matches Cline's sustainability narrative and DTC hospitality model.
• St. Francis Winery & Vineyards: Sonoma family-owned winery with estate vineyards, a strong wine club, on-site tasting and dining, and a multi-varietal California portfolio — directly comparable size, channel mix, and Sonoma positioning.
• Trentadue Winery: Sonoma family-owned winery recognized for old-vine Zinfandel from Contra Costa and Italian-varietal programs, with on-site tasting and events — closely aligned with Cline's ancient-vine Zinfandel and Italian varietal sister brands.
• Ridge Vineyards: California premium winery famous for old-vine Zinfandel and Rhône-style blends from Sonoma and the Santa Cruz Mountains, with a DTC and allocation-driven wine club — highly comparable on ancient-vine heritage and premium DTC mechanics.
• Gundlach Bundschu: Sonoma-based, family-owned since 1858 with estate vineyards, on-site tastings, events, and a wine club; similar family-run operating model and experiential DTC emphasis in Carneros-adjacent Sonoma territory.
• Buena Vista Winery: Historic Carneros/Sonoma winery with estate vineyards, tasting experiences, and wine club; comparable on Carneros terroir positioning and DTC hospitality model.
• Rodney Strong Wine Estates: Sonoma County winery with broad distribution, DTC, and wine club operations; comparable portfolio depth across Sonoma AVAs and similar reliance on wholesale plus DTC channels.
• Schug Carneros Estate Winery: Carneros AVA family-owned winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and cool-climate varietals with tasting room hospitality — directly comparable given Cline's Carneros estate focus.

Broad incumbents

• Treasury Wine Estates: Global multi-brand wine company (Beringer, Sterling, Stags' Leap, etc.) with broad wholesale, DTC, and global distribution — relevant benchmark for what scaled, multi-channel wine distribution and brand portfolio economics can look like.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ClineCellarswine
• Facebookfacebook.com/clinefamilycellars
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cline-cellars
• Instagraminstagram.com/clinecellars
• Pinterestpinterest.com/clinefamilycellars
• Xx.com/clinecellars

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Cline Family Cellars