Helen Falcone started her professional career as a food scientist for the New Zealand Dairy Board’s office in Sonoma, but in mid-1990 decided to work in the wine industry. Her positions included stints at Beringer Vineyards as quality control technician, Codorniu Napa as enologist and assistant winemaker, Paul Hobbs as enologist, William Hill Winery as lab technician, and at Chimney Rock as assistant winemaker.

After gaining a decade of experience in the Napa Valley, Helen and her husband John also a wine professional, headed south and landed near Templeton in the Central Coast, They planted their own small vineyard in July 2000 and began releasing the family brand in 2002. In addition, they both worked at Rusack Vineyards, Helen as assistant winemaker until 2010 and then as enologist for two year.

Falcone Family Vineyards is the “passion project” of Helen and John. She is entirely focused on the family winery, while he works full time at Gainey Vineyard. They produce two varietals from their estate, namely, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, producing some 1,200 cases per year, and also offer a Chardonnay and a non-vintage red blend.

Helen and John find that the pace of life in the Central and South Central Coast is well suited to their lifestyle as winemakers. They have one daughter, Mia, the namesake of the family vineyard, Mia’s Vineyard.