Family-Run Winery Napa Valley: Meet the Honigs

Michael Honig

President

Michael Honig is a charismatic leader in the wine industry and the driving spirit behind Honig Vineyard & Winery. His journey began at the young age of 22 when, without formal training, he took the helm of his family's struggling vineyard and winery to rescue it from collapse.

In 1980, Sauvignon Blanc was an unconventional choice, especially for a winery focusing solely on this varietal. However, Michael's persistence paid off, propelling Honig’s Sauvignon Blanc to the widespread acclaim it now enjoys. Under his leadership, Honig has also become renowned for its award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon while keeping sustainability at the forefront. This dedication to producing the highest quality wines and implementing sustainable farming practices, solar-powered operations, and water conservation has solidified the winery's reputation for excellence and environmental stewardship.

Now after forty years, Michael is still a constant traveler looking to introduce new audiences to Honig. His commitment, combined with his ability to forge connections and his passion for storytelling, has made him a prominent figure among distributors and customers alike. Back home, Michael is dedicated to his community and remains a leading advocate for Napa Valley. He chaired the first California initiative to develop a “Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices” and has served on several boards, including the Wine Institute, Napa Valley Vintners, and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

Michael credits much of his success to the dedicated team that surrounds him. And always grounded, he can often be found in the vineyards, nurturing the grapes that have become synonymous with the Honig name. "At the end of the day, it's about making great wine and enjoying the journey," a philosophy he often shares, capturing his essence and encapsulating his approach at the winery and in life.

Michael Honig's legacy is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a good dose of humor. He continues to inspire through his leadership at Honig Vineyard & Winery, community involvement, and an unwavering commitment to preservation for future generations. Whether sharing the Honig story while traveling, hosting groups in the vineyards, or engaging with policymakers, his influence on the wine world continues to grow, reflecting his enduring dedication and vibrant spirit.

Regina Weinstein

Director of Marketing

Regina Weinstein came to work for the family business in 1997, following a 15-year stint as a Product Marketing Manager in the high-tech world, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and creativity. As Director of Marketing and Retail, she handles all aspects of marketing for the winery: design and creation of marketing materials (yes, the infamous Honig postcards); package design; the Honig website; sales materials; and handles social media for the winery. She also oversees Retails operations, including the Tasting Room and E-commerce.

Regina lives in Napa, with younger sons Ethan and Aidan. Older son Raphael runs the Honig wine club, and daughter Devin is a free-lance photographer who does all of the photography for the winery. Regina sits on the board of the Rutherford Dust Society, and Mentis Napa; founded the Rutherford Appellation Wineries; and serves on the Marketing and Communications Committee for the Napa Valley Vintners.

Steven Honig

Director of California Sales

Was raised in San Francisco and enjoyed weekends with his brothers and family in Napa Valley riding mini bikes and tractors at the vineyard. In 1986, he graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder and went to work for the fledgling family winery as a sales rep in Los Angeles. After a year, he decided to move to Sweden, where he ran a bike messenger company, imported mountain bikes and parts and raced mountain bikes on an international level.

In 1994, Steven returned to San Francisco, remaining in the mountain biking industry serving as Director of Sales and Promotions for a sports marketing company, which organized world class cycling festivals. Returning to the family winery in 2000, he has turned his skills towards sales and business development. When he's not delivering wine to his account, or hosting a wine dinner, Steven can often be found walking with his wife Miriam and children, Annika and Gavin, in the vineyards.

Raphael Cruz

Wine Club Manager - Honig Vineyard & Winery

Raphael (Rapha) Cruz, III grew up in the Napa Valley, in the small town of St. Helena. During high school, his first job was filing accounting reports for the family winery. As a high school junior, he spent a year in France as a Rotary International Exchange Student and attending a French high school. After graduation, he moved to Santa Barbara to study Culinary Arts. While at school, he spent 4+ years as a manager at Helping Hands Wellness Center, a medical marijuana dispensary.

In January of 2011, Rapha returned to his roots in the Napa Valley to join the family team at Honig. He began in the tasting room, then took over management of the wine club and events, where he could utilize his customer service skills, and extensive knowledge of food and wine.

Rapha lives in the city of Napa, but as an avid foodie, spends time going out for dinner and drinks with friends all over the Valley. Rapha spends his time traveling, hanging out with his dog Charlie, and finding disc golf courses all over California where he can hone his skills. He is an avid sports fan, and follows the SF Giants, SF 49ers and the Golden State Warriors, with a fiery passion, and spends his Thursday nights singing Karaoke at the local dive bar.

Gavin Honig

National Sales- Honig Vineyard & Winery

Gavin was raised in Marin County, enjoying weekends with his sister and cousins at the family’s Rutherford ranch in Napa Valley riding bikes and driving around in the golf cart. In 2021, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz and went to work for the family winery in the tasting room. After working in the tasting room and cellar, he decided to move to San Francisco (where he currently resides). There he worked in retail while continuing his wine education. In October of 2023, Gavin returned to Honig help with Bay Area wine sales and promotion across the country. He has turned his passion for wine to marketing, promoting Honig wines to his generation, while still maintaining close contact with the consumers that have supported Honig for years. When he's not visiting accounts in Bay Area or travelling out of state, Gavin can often be found walking in Golden Gate Park or stopping in to local wine spots.

Annika Honig

California Sales - Honig Vineyard & Winery

Born and raised in Marin County, Annika Honig has always had a deep connection to the wine industry. After spending childhood weekends visiting the family property in Rutherford, she was offered an opportunity in 2021 to lend a hand in the cellar. That moment marked the start of her career at Honig Vineyard and Winery.

Only 19 when she started in the cellar, Annika gained hands-on experience in all aspects of wine production and soon became part of Honig’s all-women winemaking team as a production assistant.

She recently transitioned into a sales role and is excited to share the story of the wines with customers and build lasting relationships. Her deep understanding of the winemaking process gives her an authentic perspective as she continues to grow and learn in the industry.

When she's not at work, Annika can often be found walking through the vineyards with her dog, Sage, enjoying the beauty of the property. If she's not outdoors, you’ll find her cooking with friends and family, sharing her deep love for food and wine culture.