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The Ballentine Legacy

Where Our Story Begins

Founded in 1905 and deeply rooted in Napa Valley, Ballentine Vineyards is more than a winery; it’s a celebration of a century-old heritage. As a multigenerational, family-owned and operated winery, we pride ourselves on being an enduring symbol of quality, sustainability, and authenticity in Napa Valley.

  • Maria & Libero Pocai

    First Generation

    At 22 years old, Frank Ballentine’s maternal great-grandfather, Libero Pocai, immigrated from Lucca, Italy, to Guerneville, California, after his mother passed. He came to make a few thousand dollars in the logging industry. Libero always intended to return to Italy to “be a big shot.” While in America, his father passed away, and so he later told the Calistoga Weekly (1971), “This is my country.” Libero stayed in California and met Maria Cristofani, who also immigrated from Italy at 18 years old. They married in Guerneville, then relocated to San Francisco, where they worked in the wood and coal business. Maria’s health was poor in the city, so they relocated back to the country, making their home in Calistoga with their two children, Frank (1895) and Henry.

The Fourth Generation

Frank Ballentine

The son of Van and Betty Ballentine, Frank Ballentine has seamlessly blended his passion for wine with business acumen, crafting his own major at UC Davis, crowning his academic achievements with an MBA at Fresno State, and continually augments his expertise through executive management programs at Stanford and Harvard. After college, Frank was a winemaker in the San Joaquin Valley and Fresno. Transitioning from winemaking to food manufacturing and distribution, Frank held senior roles at Odwalla during its meteoric growth and currently serves as the President and CEO of GreenLeaf for 25 years, a prominent purveyor of high-quality produce and specialty products. In all of these pursuits, Frank has ceaselessly sought best practices to elevate his family business.

In 2012, Frank joined forces with his aging parents to oversee the Ballentine Vineyards. Here, he rekindled his love for the land and the intricate science of vineyard management with his wife Linda and children Ryan and Audrey by his side. Collaborating closely with Winemaker Bruce Devlin, a shared vision emerged. 

Walking through the vineyards right before harvest is my favorite time. You can begin to see if your hard work is paying off with the promise of some great wines.”

~ Frank Ballentine, fourth generation

For the past decade, Frank and Bruce have embarked on a continuous journey of experimentation with our 100+-year-old vineyards, unlocking their perpetual potential to craft new, exceptional wines annually. Our commitment to sustainability reflects not only a responsibility to the land but also a dedication to embracing the evolving dynamics of the wine industry. As we move forward, we honor our past to shape a future that mirrors the enduring legacy of the Ballentine family, spanning nearly 120 years in Napa Valley.

Team

Winemaking

Bruce Devlin

Bruce’s journey began with a desire to be a brewmaster, navigating through forestry at Humboldt State and a fleeting encounter with photography at San Jose State. Eventually, he found his calling in Fermentation Science at UC Davis. What started as an interest in fermentation transformed into a profound passion for science and art, echoing through every exceptional wine crafted by Ballentine Vineyards.

“Every harvest, my goal is to capture the unique quality and expression of each block of our 100 acres, exploring its potential in an interesting way.” 

~ Bruce Devlin, winemaker

As an artisan winemaker, Bruce was responsible for discovering the Chenin Blanc grapes at Betty’s Vineyard and assembled a trial that led to the variety becoming one of the family’s most-celebrated and popular wines sought after by Ballentine’s wine club members and fans of the brand nationwide.

In 1994, Bruce embarked on a transformative student work exchange program in Germany, delving into the study of the country and spending three months at Weingut Reichsrat Van Buhl in the renowned Pfalz region, celebrated for its German Rieslings. Here, he developed his first true appreciation for wine. Despite Ballentine’s focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and red varietals, Bruce cherishes the origins of the extraordinary white Rieslings in Germany. 

Bruce’s global winemaking expeditions extended his expertise to regions celebrated for delightful flavors, including Germany, South Africa, and Australia. Each destination contributed to shaping his distinctive style, evident in the numerous high-scoring wines he has crafted over the past two decades. As a perpetual explorer, he embraces the annual challenge of harvesting estate-grown wines, creatively responding to the nuances Mother Nature provides.

Beyond winemaking and collaborative vineyard management with Frank Ballentine, Bruce finds joy in family moments with his wife Danielle and son, Blake. Together, they savor the art of cooking for friends, explore the ever-changing offerings of Napa Valley, and indulge in shared adventures like kayaking or skiing the world’s best slopes.

Cellar & Tasting Room Team

Angela Carvalho

Angela Carvalho
Assistant Winemaker

Luis Montanez

Luis Montanez
Cellar Master

Eric Ortiz

Eric Ortiz
Wine Production

Juan De Loera Garcia

Juan De Loera Garcia
Wine Production

Jackie Deveny

Jackie Deveny
DTC Director

Miguel Olguin

Miguel Olguin
Estate Host

Maureen Theunissen

Maureen Theunissen
Office Manager