This year’s annual Legends of California Wine Auction and Dinner was held in mid-April in the Grape Pavilion on the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, honoring the John Kautz Family, who have made significant contributions to the grape & wine industry in Lodi and the Sierra foothills.

The primary purpose of the Wine Legends Dinner is to honor those who have left a “legendary” impression on the agricultural and wine grape industry and a historical mark on San Joaquin County. The John Kautz Family has certainly done that.

In 1948, a young John Kautz began growing grapes on 12 acres in Lodi. By the end of the century, through hard work, a commitment to excellence and a strong vision, Kautz and his family had amassed over 5,000 acres throughout the Valley and the Sierra, and created the internationally acclaimed Kautz Ironstone Vineyards.

After almost four decades as one of California’s premier wine grape suppliers, in 1990, John his wife Gail, and their four children began to create a wine of their own. With award winning winemaker Steve Millier, they embarked upon making Kautz wines, but only after fashioning their 10,000 feet of wine aging caverns by blasting through “rock as hard as iron”, was Ironstone Vineyards finally born.

In the 14 years since, the Kautz family has created a winery in their Calaveras County vineyards, which has become a destination for visitors from around the world. While developing tasting rooms and commercial enterprises, they have exhibited a total commitment to preserving history. The history of the Mother Lode mines gold region in the Murphys area is well represented in Ironstone’s Heritage Museum. The highlight of the museum is the world’s largest Crystalline Gold Leaf specimen. It weights over 44 pounds and was discovered just 9 air miles away from where it sits today. Preservation of the past has also been incorporated into their concert and reception facility with its restored Alhambra Theatre Pipe Organ as its centerpiece. Built in 1927 and rescued from the Alhambra Theater in Sacramento, the pipe organ is featured in concerts and as accompaniment for an annual series of silent movies, the original purpose for which the organ was created. The Kautz family has also created award-winning gardens, an amphitheater that can seat thousands and their signature Breezeway, where the crafting of wine can be witnessed firsthand.

In the Lodi region, the Kautz family has been a driving force in establishing the Lodi Wine & Visitors Center, yet their affiliations extend well beyond just San Joaquin and Calaveras Counties. Over the years, John has served on numerous boards and commissions, including CFO of the California State Travel and Tourism Commission, USDA Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission, 11 years as President to California State Board of Food and Agriculture. He wrote the first check to start the California Association of Winegrape Growers and has served on California State Fair Advisory Board and Winrock International and Calif. State Chamber Board of Directors just to name a few. Meanwhile, Gail has been active serving on various State boards and commissions. She was appointed to the board of the California State Fair and Exposition where she served as the first woman Chairperson and to the Calif. Commission on Improving Service. Currently she is serving on the Board of Regents of the University of Pacific and has most recently been appointed by the Governor to sit on the Calif. State Parks and Recreation Commission. She remains active in 4-H putting on an annual Concours d’Elegance fundraiser at Ironstone winery that raises money for both local and statewide 4-H projects. Both have received numerous awards, including National Outstanding Young Farmer, California State Fair Agricultural of the Year, and induction into the San Joaquin Agricultural Hall of Fame. Their wines have received national and international awards. Their Meritage was named one of the top 30 wines of the World in Bordeaux, France. Next week they will receive Impact Magazine’s “Hot Brand of the Year” award due to the highly successful introduction of their second brand Leaping Horse Vineyards.

Gail and John have raised four children, all of who play an integral role in the family enterprises, which include John H. Kautz Farms, California Hot Wood Inc., Kautz Ironstone Vineyards and Bear Creek Winery. Oldest son Stephen and his wife Lori, live in Vallecito. Stephen is President of Ironstone Vineyards. Kurt and his wife Sandee and children Carson & Wil live in the Lodi area. Kurt heads up the farming operation, Bear Creek Winery & California Hot Wood. Jack is in property development. Daughter Joan handles all the overseas wine sales. She lives with her husband, Craig, in Toronto, Canada.

While grapes may be their number one crop, the Kautz family has also farms cherries, apples and various row crops, as well as raise World Champion Working Cow Horses. They continue to emphasize the important of and satisfaction from creating a business that involves their entire family.

The event has established itself as one of the premier fund-raising dinners in Lodi, characterized by a gourmet dinner, fine wines and coveted wine auction items. It has been an annual sell-out, with over 500 guests, including many vintners, private wine collectors, businesses and individuals. Last year, the event raised $163,000. From its inception in 1999, the event has raised over $550,000 to benefit the San Joaquin Historical Society & Museum’s Educational Programs and Agricultural Endowment, as well as the Micke Grove Zoological Society.