Ironstone Vineyards
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Winery, Wine production |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | John Kautz, Gail Kautz |
| Headquarters | Murphys , United States |
Area served | International (including United Kingdom, Canada, and over 40 countries) |
Key people | John Kautz (Co-founder), Gail Kautz (Co-founder), Kurt Kautz (Chief Financial Officer), Jack Kautz (Director) |
| Products | Wines (Obsession Wines, Leaping Horse Vineyards, Christine Andrew, Stone Valley, Drifting) |
| Website | www |
Ironstone Vineyards is a winery recognized for producing multiple American wine labels, including Obsession Wines, Leaping Horse Vineyards, Christine Andrew, Stone Valley, and Drifting. By 2004, it was ranked as the 17th-largest winery in the United States based on case volume. Ironstone distributes its wines internationally, reaching markets such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and more than 40 additional countries. The winery has marketed its products under several names and bottle styles, including "Kautz Ironstone Vineyards," "Ironstone Vineyards," "IronStone," and "Ironstone 4th Generation Family Growers."
Lodi Grape Growers
Besides owning vineyards within the Sierra Foothills, Ironstone procures grapes from roughly 7,000 acres situated in the Lodi region. Founders John and Gail Kautz were among the first to cultivate Chardonnay and other varietals in Lodi. The family grows a variety of grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Symphony, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The business remains family-operated: John and Gail Kautz oversee daily functions while their sons Kurt Kautz serves as chief financial officer and Jack Kautz holds the position of director.
The Kautz family's Bear Creek Winery, founded in 1934, expanded its production capacity from 8.2 million gallons to an estimated 12 million gallons, placing it among the top 20 largest wineries nationwide. Jack Kautz, who also established CrossFit Lodi, is a partner at Bear Creek Winery and directs marketing efforts for the family’s wine portfolio across the country.
In 2015, Jack Kautz petitioned Calaveras County officials to oppose the installation of a Verizon cell tower near the winery property. That same year, John and Jack Kautz contributed $25,000 to support The Murphys Fire Protection Service.
Visitors' center and amphitheater
Located near Murphys, California in Calaveras County, Ironstone’s venue features a distinctive seven-story structure designed to resemble a gold stamp mill. The Jewelry Shoppe exhibits the most substantial crystalline gold specimen known as Ironstone's Crown Jewel, weighing 44 troy pounds (16.4 kg).
Key annual activities include the Obsession Weekend wine launch, a regional daffodil competition held each March spanning multiple counties, and the September Coucours d' Elegance car exhibition that benefits agricultural programs for California youth.
Ironstone also organizes yearly concerts showcasing renowned performers such as the Russian National Orchestra, Dave Koz, Robert Cray, and Michael McDonald.