The Mangels family has been in the Suisun Valley since 1866. Gary Mangels, a descendant of those original German settlers, planted his first vineyard in 1991. Gary and winemaker Gina Richmond founded Mangels Vineyards in 2009.

The Mangels Family name is one that has been in the Suisun Valley since 1866. When Gary Mangel’s 4x great-grandfather Louis emigrated with his parents at the age of 14 from Germany and immediately left for the West Coast, by way of Panama, it was the beginning of a legacy built by the Mangels family that still thrives today. Starting as ranchers and grape growers, by 1893 Louis, along with his son Claus, would build their first wine cellar. Solano Winery went on to become one of the largest producing wineries in the state of California and by 1906 were producing 500,000 gallons of wine a year.

By 1920, Prohibition hit the United States, with L. Mangels and Sons being one of only seven wineries allowed to legally produce wine for the government. By 1932, the Solano Grapes Products Company was incorporated under the name of Solano Winery and after Prohibition in 1933, the government began to bond wineries. “Solano Winery” became Bonded Winery Number 42. Claus planted more vineyards and leased another 153 acres with a Bonzi Vineyard at Monticello, in Napa County (which now lies under Lake Berryessa). In 1943, Claus Mangels sold Solano Winery but maintained his home and vineyards in Suisun Valley. When Claus passed away in 1950, his son Lewis inherited the property expanding the livestock operation while continuing to grow grapes for the Sebastiani and Christian Brothers Wineries.

In 1973, Gary Mangels joined his father Lewis in the family ranching business. In 1988, Gary purchased land that would eventually become Mangels Vineyards and planted his first vines in 1991. Over time Gary has learned which varieties are best suited for his location in Suisun Valley and in 2009, Gary and winemaker Gina Richmond founded Mangels Vineyards.

The winemaker: Gina is the fourth generation of her family to live in Suisun Valley. Her great grandfather, Sebastian Oberti, came to the Suisun Valley in the 1890’s from Italy. He grew fruits and vegetables to sell to the local community and dabbled in some home winemaking. Gina expanded on this legacy by graduating from CSU Fresno with an enology degree. After graduating, she interned at Spring Mountain Winery in St. Helena and Trinity Hill Winery in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. She met her husband, George, while working in New Zealand, and he has become an integral part of Mangels Vineyards. Gina’s no frills winemaking style that she learned from the great professors at Fresno State allows her to make clean, fresh, and flavorful wines. She concentrates on picking the grapes at the peak of their flavor. When blending, she looks for a balanced wine consisting of great aromatics and the right ratio of tannin, acid, and alcohol. She believes these are the two most important points in winemaking.

2018 Suisun Valley Pinot Grigio

Springtime comes to life in this bottle all year round. The apple blossom and hints of nectar meld in the mouth with granny smith apple flavors. If pork and fish dishes are your thing then winemaker Gina Richmond recommends complimenting this wine with your next meal.

Starboard (Port Style)

A Petite Sirah based dessert wine made in the traditional port style. Dark fruit and chocolate balance out the richness of the sweet finish.