About Violet’s Paradise

Violet’s Paradise Wines represent the prestige debut from Brenae Royal, a collection that blends heritage, innovation, and excellence. A peoples-first wine company, our work serves broad communities using land access, innovative beverage production, and intentional mentorship to redefine the industry through farming, winemaking, retail, and hospitality. 

We produce dynamic, celebratory, nuanced wines that people love to drink. We create paid work opportunities and access from production to the point of sale. We reinvest in people by funding the Violet’s Paradise Agriculture Scholarship to inspire others to live their own dreams.

Brenae Royal, Founder and CEO

Brenae Royal founded Violet’s Paradise Wines in 2024 after spending years in the Northern California vines. Her anticipated entry as a producer of her own brand showcases a stunning collection made with her ethos that wine begins with the soil. Royal’s work as a rising star is featured in Wine Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40.” Her groundbreaking work is also featured in The San Francisco Chronicle, Wine Spectator, The Press Democrat, and Star Wine List. 

The launch of Violet’s Paradise encapsulates Royal’s stewardship of agriculture and a being a champion of diversity in the wine industry. She grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, encouraged by elder family members to seasonal rhythms and garden with the season. She farmed in ex-curricular activities as a young student, then studied at California State University, Chico, where she graduated with a B.S. in Crops and Horticulture Science. The vineyard is where Royal came to understand the possibility of wine as a way to merge the traditional with forward-thinking practices. It became her mission to ensure every bottle reflects both the plants’ resilience and the artistry that adds to it.

Over more than a decade, Royal ultimately oversaw 1,800 acres across Sonoma County, including her time as vineyard manager for the historic Monte Rosso Vineyards where she led farming across 250 planted acres. Her imprint on Monte Rosso includes partnerships through grape sales and leading the vineyards’ transition to organic certification. In 2024, Royal ran operations for St. Supery Vineyards & Winery in Napa where she oversaw 1,700 acres, including 577 planted acres. 

With a focus on sustainable farming, community engagement, and an unwavering commitment for quality, Royal hopes to inspire the next generation of winegrowers while shaping a more inclusive and dynamic future in the industry.

Marc Gagnon, Winemaker

Marc and Brenae met in April 2020 through the incomparable Marcello Monticelli with the goal to work with Monte Rosso fruit. From there, Marc and Brenae would develop a deep respect and partnership through mutual desires to create wines that reflected the land and stewardship of the farmers. ​​With a career marked by numerous 100-point wines, Marc Gagnon has held prestigious roles, including Head Winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyard and Assistant Winemaker at Screaming Eagle. Now, as Director of Winemaking for Caldwell Vineyard, he blends artistry and science to craft exceptional wines. Renowned critic Antonio Galloni calls him “utterly brilliant,” and alongside Michael Kennedy, Marc oversees winemaking strategy and production across a global portfolio. Based in Napa, he travels as needed to ensure excellence in every bottle.