In 1968, John and Gail Kautz began planting vineyards on their farm. After selling their grapes to wineries throughout California, John and Gail, along with their children began to dream of having their own winery.
They dreamt of having one of the most beautiful facilities around; a place that would attract visitors from around the world. But instead of focusing on the popular properties in Napa or Sonoma, the Kautz family turned to an area that has some of the most rich and colorful history of California, the Sierra Foothills.
In 1989 the Kautz family began construction on their winery in Murphys, California.
They chose to build on another parcel of land that was inherited through the lineage of Gail Kautz. In the middle of the property there was a large rock formation, which was to be turned into a cavern for barrel aging their wines. As the miners were blasting and carving away at this rock, they found this rock to be very hard.
Daily, the miners would comment how the rock was “like iron.” This rock was so much of a nuisance that it began to delay the building of the winery. As the Kautz family encountered this challenge, instead of becoming discouraged by the delay, they took inspiration from the difficulty.
Originally to be called “Kautz Family Winery” the Kautz family changed the name of the business to “Ironstone Vineyards.”
In 1990 the Kautz family dreams were realized with the opening of the winery. Through the years each family member became part of the business in one way or the other.
John Kautz assumed the role of Chairman of the family business. Gail Kautz is the Vice Chairman. Stephen Kautz, the eldest son, became President of Ironstone Vineyards. Kurt Kautz oversees all of farm operations and financial aspects of the family’s businesses. Jack Kautz is now in charge of property development. Joan Kautz-Meier had the dream of making her family brand a product known throughout the world and took on the challenge of Vice President of International Operations.
In the winery itself, you can see the inspiration of family heritage. The Kautz family has prided themselves in decorating the winery with antiques from around the globe. With a Heritage Museum, they pay tribute to the rich history of the region.
Murphys, in the 1850’s, was the site of a claim worth five million dollars in gold. The Ironstone Heritage Museum features the world’s largest crystalline gold leaf specimen, weighing over 20 kilograms.
The tasting room which can capacitate 250 people, has an appeal of rustic elegance. True to its mountain location, there is a 13 meter high stone fireplace and exposed pine support beams.
The tasting bar was built by the Brunswick Calendar Company in 1907, shipped around Cape Horn where it came to be installed in the A. J. Bumps Saloon in Freeport California before making its way to Ironstone Vineyards.
Throughout the 2010s, Ironstone solidified its reputation not just for the scale of its production, but for its responsible stewardship of the land.
Building on their early use of integrated pest management, the Kautz family became leading advocates for sustainable winegrowing, ensuring their expanding acreage across the Sierra Foothills and Lodi met rigorous third-party certifications.
When Lodi was named Wine Enthusiast’s “Wine Region of the Year” in 2015, it was a crowning achievement for the family, who had fought tirelessly for the AVA’s recognition decades prior. Learn more by checking out our sustainability page.
Today, Ironstone Vineyards remains proudly family-owned and operated, standing as one of the largest and most respected estate growers in California. While honoring its Gold Rush roots and deep agricultural history, the winery is actively looking ahead.
In 2026, Ironstone is heavily focused on elevating its direct-to-consumer experience by modernizing its digital footprint. This ongoing evolution ensures a seamless, upgraded online platform, making it easier than ever for wine enthusiasts to explore the family’s portfolio and securely purchase their favorite vintages directly from the estate.
Whether welcoming guests to the historic seven-story winery in Murphys or connecting with fans online, the Kautz family’s dedication to quality, sustainability, and hospitality remains as rock-solid as the caverns where their wines age.
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