Written by Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
Leaving a Legacy, Living a Legacy
In Livermore Valley, winemaking is more than a craft—it’s a legacy rooted in deep family traditions and nurtured through generations. This Father’s Day, we celebrate the enduring bond between fathers and sons who have dedicated their lives to the vines, passing down not just skills and stories, but a shared passion for excellence in every bottle. At wineries like Fenestra Winery, Mitchell Katz Winery, The Steven Kent Winery, and Retzlaff Vineyards Estate Winery, the next generation is not only honoring the vision of their fathers, but also shaping a future that reflects their own unique voice. These family-run vineyards are living proof that in Livermore Valley, heritage and innovation grow side by side, creating wines—and legacies—that stand the test of time. These stories remind us that legacy isn’t just something we leave behind—it’s something we live, shape, and savor with every vintage.
Fenestra Winery, Eric Replogle, son of Lanny Replogle
At Fenestra Winery, the story of legacy begins with a deep love of chemistry—and wine. In the mid-1970s, Lanny Replogle traded lecture halls at San Jose State University for vineyard rows in the Livermore Valley, transforming his passion for home winemaking into a lifelong pursuit, “I realized that I enjoyed making wine more than teaching. So, my wife, Fran and I started looking for a place to realize our dream; since we didn’t have enough money to start from scratch, we looked for an existing winery where we could start. We hooked up with Stony Ridge Winery which was at the old Stony Ridge Winery located off Vineyard Ave. in Pleasanton in 1976.. I was their consulting winemaker, and had the use of the facilities and got some of the grapes in the vineyards. There were only 5 wineries in the Livermore Valley then.”
Today, that legacy continues with Lanny’s son, Eric Replogle. Like his father, Eric holds a PhD in chemistry, and he has taken an active role in the management of the winery and giving legal advice.
We asked Eric what made him fall in love with wine, and at what point did he decide to follow his father’s path and begin to help manage Fenestra and he told us, “Growing up in the winery, you first see the tremendous work it takes to successfully produce and sell a bottle of wine. Going away to college and raising a family allowed me to gain the perspective of what is great about wine as opposed to other alcoholic beverages, especially the complexity of the beverage itself and the impact wine has made across culture and through man history.”
Eric honors his father’s vision by preserving Fenestra’s spirit of experimentation and variety. When asked which of his father’s winemaking traditions does he maintain most faithfully, he said,
“The ability to make a wide range of small batch wines and varietals. This allows a customer with the curiosity of wine to try lots of different styles of wines without being boxed into the standard set of wines. This fits nicely into the Livermore Valley initiative to become a center of producing quality Sauvignon Blanc and Cabaret Franc varietals, which Fenestra has made for over two decades.”
As Eric looks to the future, he hopes to pass on not just his father’s winemaking wisdom, but his passion—for quality, for connection, and for the enduring legacy of Livermore Valley wine.
“It is very rewarding to me knowing that Fenestra Winery will continue due to Eric and his wife Robin, and that it is in good hands.”- Larry Replogle
Mitchell Katz Winery, Wesley Katz, son of Mitchell Katz
At Mitchell Katz Winery, legacy is woven into every barrel, bottle, and vineyard row—a reflection not just of fine winemaking, but of deep-rooted values passed from father to son. Today, Wesley Katz carries forward the traditions that his father, Mitchell Katz, championed—ones built on authenticity, hard work, and a strong sense of community. As both owner and winemaker, Wesley honors his father’s craft with intention, maintaining the physical punch-down method during fermentation—a hands-on technique his father believed made all the difference. It’s not the easiest way, but it’s the Katz way: personal, thoughtful, and rooted in care, “The tradition we are maintaining most faithfully is punch downs, the physical process using a manual tool to break up the cap, was one of the process’ that my dad swore was one of the factors that set us apart from the other wines that use other methods like pump overs.”
One of the most important lessons Mitch passed on to Wesley had little to do with equipment or grape varietals and everything to do with perspective. “Appreciate tradition and where you came from. It’s what makes things special, being able to understand a process and the history of it can make wine, or anything really, even more enjoyable.” Wesley told us. That philosophy guides the winery today, anchoring it in Livermore’s past while continuing to evolve. Wesley blends reverence with renewal—preserving the values his father instilled while also bringing his own voice to the business.
We asked Wesley how he balances honoring his father’s winemaking legacy while establishing his own identity in the industry and he said that Laura Ness answered this one perfectly in the 2006 issue of The Independent, “‘Thank you!’ Thank you Mitch for being the soul that celebrates all your personal victories in the context of the entire Livermore wine community.” The Katz family has always considered their growers to be business partners and family and will continue to do so. “In memory of my dad and all his dreams coming true, I hope his legacy continues to inspire and bring happiness to all who enjoyed his wine and/or had the pleasure of enjoying his presence.”-Wesley Katz
The Steven Kent Winery, Aiden Mirassou, son of Steven Mirassou
At The Steven Kent Winery, legacy isn’t something inherited—it’s something lived, shaped, and felt through every harvest. For Aiden Mirassou, son of founder Steven Kent Mirassou, the decision to follow in his father’s footsteps didn’t happen overnight. “My love for wine and winemaking didn’t solidify until about my third harvest working production in 2016,” Aiden shares. He had spent years working in the tasting room and cellar, but it was a deeply personal chapter in his life that forever changed his connection to the craft.
In 2016, Aiden moved home to be closer to his parents after his mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. They were living at the time on Ghielmetti Vineyard in eastern Livermore, and the vineyard quickly became a place of reflection and healing. “Most evenings that I lived there, I would walk the blocks of Ghielmetti Vineyard to clear my head and distract myself from how sad each day felt,” Aiden recalls. “In the darkest time of my life… the vineyard had become a powerful symbol of change, renewal and love.” After his mother’s passing later that year, Aiden and his family poured their grief and gratitude into the harvest, and with that, his purpose became clear: “I was certain that I wanted to spend my life continuing and honoring the Mirassou family legacy of winemaking.”
One of the most meaningful lessons Aiden has learned from his father is that wine is more than a beverage—it’s a form of communication. “He has often told me that winemaking is as much about storytelling as it is about crafting a quality blend,” Aiden says. “When you’re making wine, you’re telling a story about a place, or a season, or about your own mission.”
As he steps into a greater leadership role at the winery, Aiden aspires to carry forward not only his father’s knowledge, but also his mindset. “Despite having a vast breadth of knowledge about wine… it’s actually my dad’s endless curiosity and willingness to try new things to which I most aspire,” he says. “Far from being the type to believe that they know everything, he would happily admit that there is always more to discover about winemaking. I hope to someday pass on that general passion for learning that I believe is as important as a love for wine!” For the Mirassous, legacy is not about tradition for tradition’s sake—it’s about a shared passion for learning, evolving, and creating something beautiful together.
“Nothing is more magical than creating something beautiful alongside your loved ones.”- Aiden Mirrasou
Retzlaff Vineyards Estate Winery, Aaron Taylor – Winemaker and son of Bob Taylor, the original owner, founder, and winemaker
At Retzlaff Vineyards Estate Winery, legacy has never been a distant idea—it has always been lived, daily, side by side. For over three decades, Aaron Taylor worked alongside his father, Bob Taylor, the founder and original winemaker of Retzlaff, building not just a winery, but a philosophy rooted in patience, curiosity, and care. “We have always worked together as a team,” Aaron says. “Quality is what I do best to honor my father and establish my own identity.”
Aaron’s love of wine began early, shaped by both travel and the kitchen table. “Our family trips to Europe, at a young age, exposed me to the combination of food and wine,” he recalls. “Making wine with my dad and then combining that wine with certain foods was an enlightening culinary experience that also brought us closer and created an unbreakable bond.” One memory stands out above the rest: “I will never forget the first time we paired Riesling with cold Dungeness crab, sourdough bread and salted butter. I fell in love.”
Today, Aaron continues to uphold the foundational values his father instilled in him, especially the importance of discipline and trust in one’s own craft. “Good record keeping is essential,” he says, “and something that can always be improved and then used as a reference.” But beyond spreadsheets and notes, the most profound lesson Bob passed down was about judgment and intuition. “My father taught me that it is best to trust your personal knowledge and instincts and only to apply the latest trends at 50% value until tested thoroughly.”
As Aaron now leads Retzlaff forward, he carries with him not only the shared label they once signed together, but the calm, steady approach that defined his father’s way of working. “His calm dedication to completing every phase of processing… The job isn’t finished until the paperwork is done.” It’s that blend of humility, precision, and passion that defines the Retzlaff legacy—and ensures it will continue to grow, one thoughtful vintage at a time.
Leaving a Legacy, Living a Legacy
As we celebrate Father’s Day in Livermore Valley, the stories of Fenestra Winery, Mitchell Katz Winery, The Steven Kent Winery, and Retzlaff Vineyards Estate Winery remind us that the legacy of winemaking is as much about heart as it is about heritage. From Lanny and Eric Replogle’s shared passion for small-batch experimentation, to Wesley Katz’s commitment to tradition and community, to Aiden Mirassou’s deeply personal journey of healing through the vineyard, and Aaron Taylor’s devotion to craftsmanship and calm perseverance—each family brings something unique to the valley’s rich tapestry. These wineries are more than businesses; they are living legacies, where fathers’ visions continue to thrive through the hands and hearts of their children. In every bottle, you’ll find not just great wine—but the enduring spirit of family.