In this two-part Farm4Profit special series, we head west to Sonoma County, California—where innovation, heritage, and sustainability meet in the vineyards of Alexander Valley. In Part 1, we sit down with Dan Rotlisberger, Vineyard Manager for Robert Young Estate Winery, to talk about the deep farming roots that have shaped Sonoma’s agricultural story for over a century. From prunes to premium winegrapes, Dan shares how his family transitioned through generations of change, blending tradition with new technology and conservation-minded viticulture. Then in Part 2, we meet Kris Hicks from Vimark Vineyard Management and Trione Vineyards & Winery—a craftsman who traded in carpentry and construction for vineyard rows and harvest dust. Kris shares how hands-on learning, mentorship, and sustainability define his approach to vineyard management, proving that the best fruit comes from those who know every inch of their land.
The Farm4Profit Podcast heads to California wine country for a two-part series highlighting the remarkable people shaping the legacy and future of Sonoma County Winegrowers.
In Part 1, Dan Rotlisberger—fifth-generation farmer and Vineyard Manager at Robert Young Estate Vineyards—shares how his family’s operation evolved from diverse orchards to one of Alexander Valley’s most respected vineyards. He discusses the heritage of Sonoma County farming, the transition from prunes to grapes, and the enduring commitment to sustainability and soil stewardship. With over 14 years of professional vineyard management experience, Dan also touches on how education, mentorship, and local collaboration keep Sonoma at the forefront of responsible viticulture.
In Part 2, listeners meet Kris Hicks, Vineyard Manager for Vimark Vineyard Management and Trione Vineyards & Winery. Kris’s unconventional journey—from construction and concrete work to vineyard leadership—embodies what it means to grow through grit and curiosity. He shares stories of mentorship under longtime vineyard legend John Tankersley, his philosophy of farming alongside his crew, and the techniques he employs—water conservation, cover crops, integrated pest management—to farm profitably while leaving the smallest environmental footprint possible.
Across both episodes, listeners gain insights into:
How multi-generational family farms adapt across decades of change.
The parallels between Sonoma’s sustainability goals and the Midwest’s regenerative agriculture movement.
The mindset of vineyard managers who balance heritage, quality, and innovation.
The personal stories that keep family farming—and the passion for the land—alive.
From Dan’s century-old family farm to Kris’s craftsmanship in every vine, these episodes reveal that farming excellence is both art and science—no matter the crop or coast.