Croix Estate

“When I was growing up, working in the vineyard and winery gave me a wonderful sense of partnership in my family’s way of life; it was demanding, hard work, and I loved it.” Born in 1976 and raised in Rutherford, Napa Valley, Kirk Venge earned his degree in Viticulture and Enology at the prestigious University of California, Davis, graduating in 1998, and quickly set his sights on buying the Venge brand and winery from his family. From this foothold he would seek to cross the Mayacamas divide and set roots in Sonoma County, where his mother was born. He kept a name in his back pocket, Croix, while he established himself as an astute and acclaimed winemaker. “I loved the name and its history established in Burgundy. It perfectly represented my desire to establish my winemaking expertise beyond Napa Valley. To embrace a path that has led me to many intersections in my trade.” Kirk also owns his namesake vineyard and winery, Venge Vineyards, and is consulting winemaker for several, prominent micro-producers in Napa Valley.