In 1861, as an ambitious young Scot went about establishing J. Skinner Native Wines & Brandy in El Dorado County, a family legacy was born.

Today, more than 150 years after James Skinner planted his first cuttings, that legacy continues. For current owners Mike and Carey Skinner, however, Skinner Vineyards & Winery is more than just the family business; it’s the realization of a long held dream.

With the original vineyards and winery operation closing down in the early 1900's, the Skinner family moved on to other things, other places - and other passions. But despite their many successes, the lore…and lure…of making wine under the Skinner family name endured.

In 2006, Carey, a successful real estate executive specializing in high end and unique properties, discovered a marvelously peaceful and scenic piece of land on a ridge top overlooking the Sierra Nevada, in the heart of El Dorado County. Sensing that this would be the perfect spot to re-establish the Skinner name in the world of wine, she shared her vision with husband Mike, an entrepreneur and business builder. The site became the tasting room, and Skinner Vineyards and Winery was born…or rather, re-born.

Today, Mike and Carey are afforded the rare privileges of indulging in a shared passion and in recreating a family legacy – vineyards and wine.

Involved in sports and coaching, Mike is down-to-earth and low key, more comfortable in jeans and boots than suits one typically associates with a successful businessman. The Winery reflects his comfortable personality, and his vision. "With Skinner Vineyards, we have the opportunity to build a wonderful company that will be here for years to come. There will be future generations of Skinners carrying on the tradition that James Skinner established," he says proudly, as he watches Carey greet visitors in the tasting room.

Friendly, vivacious and blessed with impeccable taste, Carey has a gift for making the people around her smile and each moment feel special. Her passion for the Vineyards and Winery are evident in the relaxed, yet sophisticated ambiance of the tasting room. She explains, “We want to provide an environment where people can relax and enjoy the wines, their friends and family, and be refreshed and restored.”

And just as James Skinner sensed that there was something special about El Dorado County and the Sierra foothill country, so does this latest generation of Skinners. As Mike puts it "This is a region - and a community - that has given so much to our family over the years. So for us, giving back is more than a nice idea – it’s a priority."