Hi, this is Barbora Hawkins, the Wine Club Manager for St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. I’ve been part of the team since the beginning of 2008. Originally, I was born in the Czech Republic and moved to the United States when I was 3 years old. My father fell in love with the quaintness of Calistoga where my family settled and opened a small B&B, the Czech Inn, which is still in operation today.

I attended California State University, Chico and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Graphic Design. I incorporated these design skills in my role as manager of a highly successful wine club which I led for three years. I am delighted to be a part of the St. Francis Winery team! I enjoy creating new on and off site events for club members that involve food, travel and a chance to interact with our winemakers more frequently.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers!

Barbora Hawkins
Wine Club Manager

I’m back! Okay, I didn’t really go any where; I’ve just been busy with all of the hustle and bustle with the holidays over here in the Wine Country. I wanted to take this opportunity to share the lovely sights I saw when driving into work. What a breathtaking view, snow topped Hood Mountain located directly behind St. Francis Winery. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, we’ve just experienced our first freeze.

We know that times are difficult for everyone, but it’s mornings like this that make me step back and appreciate the important things in world, health, happiness and family!

Cheers!

One of the things I like most about being a Wine Club Manager at St. Francis Winery is that I have the freedom to put together new events that have not been done here before. I love entertaining at home so this job is perfect for me! Putting together a wine club event is just an extension of what I do best, invite a group of friends to share my environment, show them around and above all, have great conversation over a warm meal paired with a perfect glass of wine. That’s just what it was like when I hosted our “Vine to the Wine” event this past weekend! And why wouldn’t it be, our Winemaker, Tom Mackey and Vineyard Manager, Dino Amantite took time out of their busy Harvest schedule to teach us a thing or two about making wine.

Tom taught us the technique his team uses to pump wine into barrels without spilling a drop. Then Dino took us into the Merlot Estate Vineyard, located behind the winery and showed us how the fruit is picked from the vines, most efficiently without compromising the clusters. This gave us a true appreciation for the labor involved in picking fruit! After a hard working morning, we enjoyed a hearty lunch prepared by our Chef David Bush with the 2006 Wild Oak Chardonnay and 2004 Wild Oak Merlot. My favorite part of the event was getting to know our guests over lunch. This is what builds my relationship with them and hopefully their experience was a memorable one!

Cheers!

It’s a magical time here in Sonoma. The weather is cooling, leaves are turning and the lavender has been trimmed.

Here at St. Francis Winery, we are bringing Harvest to our wine club members with a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with our wine making team. As host of this exciting new event, I will be leading a small group of wine club members who aren’t afraid to get down and dirty! Join us in the fun, as we sort grapes side by side with the St. Francis Team.

Our Director of Winemaking, Tom Mackey, will be present, offering us the unique opportunity to have answered all the questions we have about our favorite St. Francis wines. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch created by our Executive Chef, David Bush, all the while surrounded by breathtaking views of St. Francis’ Estate Syrah Vineyard.

If you have not yet signed up and would like to, don’t delay, there are only a few spots available! 

Cheers!

For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to visit us at St. Francis Winery, now is the time! When I arrived at the Visitor Center this morning,  I went to get my morning cup of coffee in the Dinging Room. I walked my usual path through the courtyard overlooking the lawn. Something was different this morning, what was it? That's it...the fog surrounding the vineyard, hindered my normal view to the St. Francis Winery and Hood Mountain. I stopped for a moment to listen to absolute piece and quiet. It's here, the beginning of fall and the incredible micro-climate the Wine Country has to offer. We are in a bubble, surrounded by the most incredible sights mother nature has to offer. Sonoma is truly the best place to live, work and play!