About Us
The Smiderle Family
Beginning with our roots in Italy, we have passed down family winemaking traditions
from generation to generation. Peter learned from his father who learned from his before.
Now, Peter has been passing along all he has learned throughout the years to his eldest daughter, Claire
who is leading MoniClaire Vineyards into the fourth generation. Claire hopes to continue to pass along this
family legacy to her children and future generations to come.
Meet The Team
Peter & Mary Beth Smiderle
Proprietors
We planted our first Chardonnay vineyard in 1986 in the Los Gatos hills, and soon after began experimenting with different varietals. As our skills improved, we set our sights on eventually settling in one of California's premier grape growing regions. We feel very lucky to have found our property in the Dry Creek Valley.
Our experience with grape growing and winemaking came at the side of Peter's Father and grandfather. Peter's father was an accomplished winemaker in the early years of California enology. His skill in winemaking, his encouragement and guidance fueled our passion, and inspire all of us, even in his absence.
In 2000 we planted our first commercial vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County. Most of our planted acres are head pruned in the old Italian style to ensure powerful flavors with intense varietal characteristics.
MoniClaire is the name we chose for our winery. It is the combined name of two daughters, Monica and Claire. Claire continues to honor this legacy today.
Claire Smiderle
General Manager
Raised in the California Wine Country, Claire was surrounded by wine beginning in early in her childhood. She spent her childhood assisting Peter as he made and bottled wine in his garage in their family home in the
Santa Cruz Mountains. She would earn her allowance by scrubbing tanks, bottling and hand labelling their house label.
When the family moved to Healdsburg in 1999, she quickly grew to love growing up in the Dry Creek Valley and became fully immersed in the small town culture that Healdsburg has become so well known for.
Her upbringing led her to a career in luxury hospitality, working with leading hotels and wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. With a love for her home and the industry, it was only natural that she would come back to her roots to take the helm at her family winery.
Lisa Bishop Forbes
Winemaker
Antonio Gonzales
Vineyard Manager
Our vineyard manager, Antonio, brings a honed skill to our rigorous vine management activities. His techniques and suggestions have generated the level of quality reflected in our end product.