As the fourth generation Foppiano to take the helm of his family's winery, Louis M. Foppiano has a strong sense of who he is and where he is going. His family history is a reminder of his place in the wine community of Sonoma County.
Born in 1947, Louis began working in the wine industry at the age of seven. Growing up in Sonoma County, his friends were the sons and daughters of other wine families. His playground was the family winery. It was a time when everyone knew everyone else. Families were close-knit. The year revolved around the seasons, culminating with the harvest, which was their reward for a year's hard work in the vineyard.
Over the years, Louis has worked in just about every position at the winery: driving the tractor in the vineyards;
working the bottling line, crush pad and
fermenting tanks; and, later
after graduating from college, representing
the winery around the world
through sales and marketing.
Louis attended Bellarmine College Preparatory School in San Jose, and Notre Dame University, before graduating from the University of San Francisco, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1970. By 1975, Louis was responsible for all the sales and marketing for the winery, with his brother Rod handling winemaking and the vineyards. After the untimely death of his brother in 1984, Louis became involved in running the winery, and with his father, overseeing all of Foppiano Vineyard's operations, from winemaking to sales and marketing.
A strong believer in the community at large, Louis has followed in his Father's footsteps, by committing time and energy in helping support and further the wine industry in a number of different ways. Over the years, he’s served as president of the Sonoma County Wineries Association (1979 and 1980), has been an active supporter of the Sonoma County Showcase and Auction since its inception, served on the board of the California Wine Institute since 1986, and helped direct the Sonoma County Harvest Fair as a broad member for 13 years and as president for two years. Louis has also served on the committee that established the Russian River Valley as a recognized California Viticultural Area. And, Louis is responsible for initiating the annual Petite Sirah Symposium at the winery, as well as being the founding member of PS I Love You, the Petite Sirah advocacy organization. Outside the wine industry, Louis has been a proud supporter of the arts in Sonoma County, serving on the board of the Summer Repertory Theatre of Santa Rosa Junior College and helping construct numerous stage sets.
Like the three generations before him, Louis has set the simple goal of creating honest, consistent, high quality wines, which are meant to be enjoyed at the table with family and friends. Under his direction, Foppiano Vineyards has enjoyed great success, increased prosperity, and critical acclaim. When he isn't at the winery, he enjoys exploring the world with his friend, confidant, and wife for over 20 years, Helaine. Whether he is in the cellar, out in the vineyards, working the marketplace, or off on a much deserved skiing , snow boarding, or rafting trip, Louis is making the most of his life, enjoying it to the fullest.
