History
Our Roots in Farming
Vino Farms was founded in the early 1970s, but the Ledbetter family’s agricultural story began decades earlier. Their journey traces back to the 1930s, when John and Jim Ledbetter’s grandfather farmed citrus and row crops in Delano, California. After serving in World War II, their father, Keith Ledbetter, returned home in 1948 to work the family land before eventually transitioning into winegrapes. In the early 1970s, Keith partnered to develop 1,200 acres of vineyards in Lodi, just as California’s wine industry was beginning to flourish. When the opportunity arose to expand into Sonoma County, Vino Farms took its first steps toward becoming a respected, multi-regional winegrape grower
Awards
Generational Growth and Values
As Keith prepared to retire, sons John and Jim officially joined the business in the late 1970s, bringing fresh vision and energy. Under their leadership, Vino Farms grew to farm over 17,000 acres across ten California counties. Their smart, risk-diversified expansion strategy was paired with a commitment to long-term partnerships rooted in trust and integrity, values passed down from their father. Today, the fourth generation of Ledbetters is deeply involved in running the business, continuing the family’s legacy of hands-on leadership. Known for pioneering sustainable farming practices, Vino Farms is also recognized for its industry leadership and community involvement, including the development of the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing and numerous accolades such as CAWG’s Grower of the Year
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