About Us

More than a decade since the first vintage debuted, LaRue production remains intentionally small. Every aspect of the business from vineyard to table is managed exclusively by Katy and her husband, David – and they plan to keep it that way. Focused on ultra-premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sustainably-farmed vineyards in the western reaches of the Sonoma Coast, and as of 2021, cellar-worthy Bordeaux inspired wines from renowned Sonoma vineyards, the mission is the same today as it was in 2009: to personally craft quality wines reflective of their place and vintage through thoughtful vineyard selection, minimal intervention in the cellar and a commitment to small lot production.

From growing up on a walnut orchard and observing her parents run their own business to spending quality time with her larger-than-life great grandmother who believed anything was possible through hard work and determination, Katy Wilson’s upbringing, close kinship to the land, and entrepreneurial spirit all paved the path for a promising future in winemaking.

Katy’s winemaking journey has taken her both near and far. After earning degrees in Wine & Viticulture and Agricultural Business at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and traversing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres for harvests, it was during her time working at Flowers Vineyard & Winery on California’s Sonoma Coast that Katy became enamored with a region and style of wine that challenged yet inspired her in all the right ways.

Known for its cool conditions and winding roads leading to remote coastal vineyards, the Sonoma Coast offered the perfect canvas for crafting the style of wines that Katy had always gravitated towards: wines that are complex and vibrant with elegant acidity; wines that drink well when young, but also age gracefully; wines that effortlessly showcase their site and vintage conditions.

At only 26 years old, Katy channeled her inner Veona LaRue Newell and founded LaRue Wines in 2009. What began as a solo venture has evolved into a thriving family business. Today, Katy and her husband, David Meneses – a certified sommelier – divide and conquer all the responsibilities involved in making, marketing, and selling LaRue Wines. During harvest, you can find Katy crisscrossing the Sonoma Coast, closely monitoring the grapes and David in the cellar doing the punchdowns and pumpovers. During this busy time of year, quality time together includes teaming up to work on rackings and barrel downs. Beyond harvest, David manages the wine club, sales and marketing while Katy oversees the winemaking and the vineyard relationships, as well as the logistical operations of monitoring, storing, and bottling LaRue Wines. A true family affair, Katy and David’s young daughter, Charlie LaRue and adorable pup, Nico often accompany Mom and Dad at work.

Alongside LaRue Wines, Katy works as a consulting winemaker for several other projects. Currently, she makes wine for Anaba Wines, BloodRoot Cellars, Reeve Wines, and Smith Story Wine Cellars.

The husband-and-wife duo have been busy behind the scenes collaborating on the launch of a new line of wines that honors David’s passion for cellar-worthy Bordeaux wines representative of the truest expression of variety, vineyard and vintage that improve with age. Named in honor of their daughter, the Charlie LaRue label was established the same year she was born in 2021. With Charlie being their biggest love, the name was perfect and reminiscent of the sentiment that went into naming LaRue after Katy’s great-grandmother, Veona LaRue.

The Charlie LaRue label focuses on organically farmed, single-vineyard expressions of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc of which they are sourcing from some of David’s favorite Sonoma Vineyards such as Monte Rosso Vineyard, Bedrock Vineyard, and Pigasus Vineyard.

They are excited to host guests for tastings by appointment in their new Sonoma Farmhouse tasting room located at 60 Bonneau Road. For more information on booking your next visit, head over to the ‘Visit’ tab. See you soon!