Mark Ketcham had long dreamt of owning a Vineyard in the Northern California wine country. That dream came true in 2000 when he purchased a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The vineyard was quickly converted to 100% Estate Pinot Noir, while retaining the 'Old Block Pinots' that were its heritage. The goal was to develop a perfect matrix of Pinot Noir clones, married to the 'terroir' of sun, soil, wind and location, all bound by the small creek that borders the perimeter of the property.

In 2004, Ketcham Estate was founded to make wines from the heritage Pinot vines. Every taste of a Ketcham Estate Pinot tells the story of lovingly tended vines; each vintage yields a perfect balance of bright fruit combined with the acid and structure qualities that make outstanding Pinot Noirs. Ketcham Estate Pinot Noirs are drinkable on their own or paired with California's bounty of wonderful foods.

The folks at Ketcham Estate believe that making good wines is the perfect marriage of 'The Land and the Hand'.

California native (Palo Alto), Mark Ketcham retired from his computer company some years ago. Doing little to recommend himself but playing golf and traveling, on a friend's recommendation, he started racing vintage Ferraris here in and in Europe 2-4 months a year. What began as a hobby turned into a small business that became Ketcham Imports. And if racing vintage Ferraris wasn't enough fun, in 2000, Mark went on to purchase a seventeen-acre vineyard in Healdsburg. Healdsburg is the heart of the Russian River Valley Appellation, known for their famous Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Mark now lives full time at the family vineyard home with his wife Allison and their kids Savannah Rose and Nicholas.

A Midwestern girl at heart, Allison was born in the university town of Ann Arbor, Michigan, later going to Denison University and then studying abroad at Oxford. Allison does about 100 jobs in one, raising the kids and managing all of the other challenges that come with vineyard life. Allison runs the private tastings on property, the Ketcham Estate Facebook fun, and looks after Ketcham Estate's charitable works, which are primarily focused on children's education.

Ketcham Estate's vineyard manager, Roberto Ordaz, has been tending vines and managing vineyards in California for over 30 years. He lives on the property with his wife Margarita and four kids in a 100-year old house that sits by the creek. The Ordaz family has very much become a part of the extended Ketcham family. Besides the Pinot Noir vines, Roberto tends to some 15 kinds of heirloom tomatoes, 2 types of heirloom corns, Tomatillos, sweet peppers, herbs and hot peppers so ungodly hot, no Gringo dare try them for fear of a gastro intestinal explosion.

Brenda is another Midwesterner that fell in love with California and ultimately put down roots. With her background working with notable California wineries, Brenda brings a wealth of experience to Ketcham Estate. She comes to Ketcham from Ladera Winery where she was Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Brenda cut her teeth at Gallo of Sonoma, managing their Northern California, fine wine portfolio.