Brenae Royal, Founder and CEO

Brenae Royal founded Violet's Paradise Wines in 2024 after working for a decade in the Northern California vines. Her debut as a producer of her own brand is 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.

                                                                                       Monte Rosso Vineyard

Monte Rosso Vineyard is one of California’s most historic and revered sites, established in 1886 by Emmanuel Goldstein. From its earliest plantings, Zinfandel, Semillon, Muscat, and Burger, the vineyard set a foundation that would shape the identity of California wine for generations. Today, its Semillon and Zinfandel vines remain among the oldest of their kind in the world, a living testament to the vineyard’s enduring legacy.

Through Prohibition, Monte Rosso continued to be farmed, a rare and defining chapter in its history, before being acquired by Louis M. Martini in 1938. Just two years later, in 1940, the vineyard planted what is recognized as the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon block in the United States. Over the following decades, Monte Rosso expanded from its original 75 planted acres to approximately 250 acres across its 575-acre estate, evolving into a dynamic and complex viticultural landscape.

Today, the vineyard is home to 10 distinct varieties, spread across more than 50 parcels, defined by 16 unique vine spacings and 9 different trellis systems. This diversity is not incidental, it is the result of over a century of thoughtful farming, experimentation, and adaptation.

Perched along the southwestern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains within the Moon Mountain District AVA, Monte Rosso ranges in elevation from 690 to 1,300 feet above Sonoma Valley. The vineyard sits above the fog line, yet benefits from a mosaic of microclimates that bring both intensity and balance to the fruit. Its signature red volcanic soils, iron-rich, well-draining, and unmistakable in character, are central to the vineyard’s identity, imparting structure, acidity, and the distinctive spice that defines Monte Rosso wines.

I had the honor of serving as the 11th vineyard manager in the vineyard’s nearly 140-year history. During my tenure, my team and I led the transition from certified sustainable farming to certified organic practices, deepening the vineyard’s commitment to stewardship and ensuring its vitality for future generations.

Monte Rosso is not just a vineyard, it is a legacy site, shaped by time, resilience, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.