Ironstone Vineyards facts for kids
Ironstone Vineyards is noted for several leading US brands, including Obsession Wines, Leaping Horse Vineyards, Christine Andrew, Stone Valley, and Drifting. As of 2004, Ironstone has been listed as the 17th largest winery (in terms of cases sold) in the US. Ironstone also sells significant amounts of wine in the international markets including the UK, Canada and 40 other countries. Ironstone has used a series of somewhat different names and bottle designs including "Kautz Ironstone Vineyards," "Ironstone Vineyards," "IronStone," and, most recently, "Ironstone 4th Generation Family Growers."
Lodi Grape Growers
In addition to vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, Ironstone draws on the production from its Lodi appellation vineyards—some 7,000 acres (28 km2) in all. John and Gail Kautz, founders of Ironstone, were the first to plant chardonnay and other wine varietals in the Lodi area. The Kautz family grows numerous varieties including Cabernet Franc, Symphony, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Ironstone Vineyards is a family-run business where apart from the husband-wife duo, John and Gail Kautz, their sons Kurt Kautz is the chief financial officer and Jack Kautz is the director.
The family's Bear Creek Winery, founded in 1934, is listed as having 8.2 million gallons of capacity, making it the 24th largest winery in the U.S. Recent capacity expansions have increased this to an estimated 12 million gallons, making it around the 20th largest winery in the U.S. Jack Kautz, who is also the founder of CrossFit Lodi, is a partner at Bear Creek Winery and is responsible for marketing the family's wines throughout the United States.
In 2015, Jack appealed the Calaveras County Planning Commission to block the construction of the Verizon tower, a mile from the winery. In the same year, Ironstone Vineyards owners, John and Jack Kautz, donated $25,000 to The Murphys Fire Protection Service.
Visitors' center and amphitheater
The Ironstone facility is located in Calaveras County, just outside Murphys, California. The seven-story building is built in the shape of a gold stamp mill.
A 44 lbs troy (16.4 kg) gold specimen, Ironstone's Crown Jewel, the largest specimen of crystalline gold in existence, is on display in the Jewelry Shoppe. The Alhambra Theater Organ, taken from the Alhambra Theatre, is on display as well, and is played daily.
In March, Ironstone celebrates its Obsession Weekend in which its new Obsession Symphony wine is released in conjunction with a juried art show and other events. Later in March, as Murphys celebrates its Irish Days, Ironstone hosts a multi-county judged daffodil show.
Ironstone puts on annual concerts and in the past have featured acts such as the Russian National Orchestra, Dave Koz, Robert Cray, Michael McDonald, The Doobie Brothers, Los Lonely Boys Earth, Wind & Fire, Kelly Clarkson, Jeff Beck, Gretchen Wilson, John Michael Montgomery, Lynyrd Skynyrd, UB40, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Peter Frampton, B. B. King, Huey Lewis and the News, Steely Dan, ZZ Top, Chris Isaak, Bonnie Raitt, The Moody Blues, Don Henley, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Faith Hill, Chicago, The Fray, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Sheryl Crow, REO Speedwagon Al Green and others.
A typical season included the Annual Fireworks show with Shane Dwight, Whiskey Dawn and Chains Required, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson & The Fray, John Fogerty, Heart & Foreigner, Jackie Evancho & Tony Bennett, and Jeff Foxworthy (all in 2012).
In September, Ironstone hosts the Coucours d' Elegance car show as a fund-raiser for California youth agriculture programs.
