Dana Volk grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley during the beginning of the wine industry there. She earned a B.S. degree in nutrition and food science from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, in 1996. Following her graduation, she started her winemaking career as an intern at nearby Edna Valley Vineyard.

Her passion for travel and adventure led Dana to Argentina, where she worked for a year helping to establish the Bodega Tapiz in Mendoza. Returning to the U.S., she worked at Carmenet Winery in the mountains of Sonoma Valley, and subsequently at Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa. She worked there for several years in various production roles and during that period earned an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix in 2000. Dana then temporarily departed her winemaking career because of marriage, children, and a move to Hong Kong, where she traveled throughout Asia doing charity work. In 2011, however, life came full circle when she returned to her hometown of Santa Ynez and became the assistant winemaker first at Bridlewood Winery and subsequently at Byron Winery.

As the mother of two young children, Dana found it difficult to work “normal” hours and commute to work. These challenges served as the inspiration for creation of D.Volk Wines—now renamed as Dana V. Wines—in August 2014, when she received her first ton of Pinot Noir grapes from Duvarita Vineyard. She has now expanded the range of wines being produced to include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah, among others. In 2023, she launched Happy Mommy Wines, a collection directed toward hardworking, discerning moms who desire well-balanced wines of character.