Portworks Today
Sonoma Portworks is the only winery in Sonoma County that specializes in ports and after-dinner wines, and one of only a handful in the entire state. As a pioneer in the industry, we like to discover what’s possible—whether that means using an unusual grape to make a port or creating unique flavor combinations in our after-dinner wines.
Made with Love
Our certified sustainable petite sirah and petit verdot grapes are harvested by hand from the Heringer Family vineyards in Clarksburg. The Heringer family have proudly worked their vineyard land for six generations.
Instead of using a propane forklift, we move the bins in our cellar using a hand-powered pallet jack. We then use five-gallon buckets to move the must through the port-making process by hand. Using a handmade press specially designed for us, we press the grapes by foot for our award-winning ports and after-dinner wines and age them in recycled barrels.
Sonoma Portworks Joins the Heringer Estates Family
After decades of shaping Sonoma Portworks into a unique, community-loved, hands on winery, founders Bill and Caryn Reading have announced their retirement and the sale of the company to the Heringer family—trusted friends and longtime partners in winemaking. The Heringers, sixth-generation farmers and 3rd generation winegrowers in Clarksburg, have supplied grapes to Sonoma Portworks since its earliest days. Now, this enduring relationship evolves into a lasting legacy as the two brands become one family.
Words from Bill and Caryn:
When work doesn’t feel like a job when the team you work with feels like family, when the product you make is award-winning and delicious, when you have a club full of people who love what you create—how do you bring that part of your life to a close?
That is a question we have struggled with. But it’s time. Time to bring a delicious 30-year experience to an end.
We’re getting older. (Aren’t we all?) Our ports are lovingly hand and foot crafted, and over the past few vintages, we’ve found the work more challenging. Our small team has done an amazing job, but a number of issues over the last two years have taken a toll on all of us.
Earlier this month, we transferred our shares of Sonoma Portworks to the Heringer Family Estate. That name should sound familiar: You’ve heard us talk about this Clarksburg family in our tasting room and newsletters. We have been buying grapes from the Heringers for more than 20 years and know them well. We’re pleased that they will continue our legacy and add to it.
Importantly, the amazing team that you are used to seeing on a day-to-day basis will remain the same, and there may be some new faces added along the way for you to get to know. Gail will remain our Club Manager extraordinaire and Deneice, who has been at our side for over 25 years, will remain as the Portmaker, Sonoma Portworks Historian, and Finance Manager.
This is a bittersweet moment for us, but both Caryn and I are excited about what lies ahead—the most important of which is spending more time with our daughter and grandchildren, and the rest of our family. But we will miss so many people that we interacted with every day—our Portworks team, our wonderful club members and customers, and the Petaluma community.
We are so grateful!
Thank you.
Bill and Caryn Reading
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
Nothing will change overnight. Sonoma Portworks will continue to offer the same small-batch, handcrafted ports that fans have come to know and love. Longtime winemaker Deneice Knotts will remain as winemaker and company historian, bringing her over 25 years of expertise and heart to every bottle.The tasting room in Petaluma will stay open and vibrant, welcoming guests to enjoy the full Sonoma Portworks experience.
What’s new is the addition of Heringer Estates wines and expanded offerings with fresh, exciting selections beginning this spring. Wine loving guests will soon enjoy the rich tradition of port alongside bold, organically farmed wines from Heringer Estates Family Vineyards and Winery.
A Story of Innovation and Grit
The story of Sonoma Portworks is a testament to resilience and innovation. Bill’s wine journey began with Gallo in the Midwest and led him through prominent roles in marketing and sales at United Vintners, ISC, and Sebastiani Vineyards. In the early ’90s, he co-founded a wine import company that eventually gave rise to Sonoma Portworks.
The winery’s earliest success, DECO, a port infused with a touch of chocolate essence, was born out of happy experimentation and a bit of serendipity. What began as a failed Cabernet blend found new life when a drop of chocolate met a glass of port. “It was just an accident,” Bill says with a smile. “But it worked. And it was unlike anything else out there.”
This drive to stand out and do things differently became the heart of the brand. From hand-pressing grapes to embracing a low carbon footprint, Sonoma Portworks has always been about more than just wine. It’s about passion, purpose, and people.
A Labor of Love
Caryn joined the company full-time in 2011, bringing her editing background, marketing mind, and steady hand to the business. Together with Deneice, the three formed a tight-knit team, blending creativity, grit, and heart into every step of the process.
The winery became known not only for its unique ports but also for the welcoming, down-to-earth tasting room experience. Club members often return year after year, drawn by the sense of family and belonging. “We’ve always believed in doing the work ourselves,” says Caryn. “We wouldn’t ask anyone to do something we wouldn’t do ourselves.”
Every port at Sonoma Portworks tells a story, whether it’s Maduro, made in a modified solera system that spans decades of vintages, or Petite Sirah port made with barrel aged spirits. Each wine reflects a philosophy centered on balance, with the grape character and essence taking the lead.
Rooted in Heritage: Introducing Heringer Estates
Heringer Estates is a family-owned vineyard and winery based in Clarksburg, California, with deep roots dating back to 1868. As sixth-generation farmers and third-generation winegrowers, the Heringer family has spent over 150 years honoring the land and their heritage, all while pushing the boundaries of what great wine can be. Their vineyards are both certified sustainable and organically farmed, and their winemaking style is hands-on and heart-driven.
With more than 29 wines and wine-inspired products in their portfolio, including crisp whites, bold reds, sparklings, desserts, and their delicious Delta Freeze wine slushy, Heringer Estates is all about creativity without compromise. Every bottle is an invitation to connect, to celebrate, and to savor the moment. Guests are welcomed like family and leave feeling like part of something bigger. Much like Sonoma Portworks, Heringer Estates sees wine not just as a product, but as a way of life, a shared legacy, and a celebration of community.
At the heart of Heringer Estates are values that resonate deeply with Sonoma Portworks: sustainability, innovation, family, and warm, genuine hospitality. It’s these shared principles that make this partnership not just a natural fit, but a powerful alignment of purpose and passion.
One of the most meaningful bonds between the two wineries lies in their winemaking philosophy. Bill Reading founded Sonoma Portworks on the belief that great wine should always emphasize the grape, allowing its natural character to take center stage. Mike Heringer, owner, winemaker, and sixth-generation farmer, carries that same belief. Every wine he creates is a tribute to the Clarksburg region and a celebration of the grape’s natural personality.
For over two decades, the Heringer family has been behind the scenes as trusted grape growers for Sonoma Portworks. Now, they’re stepping fully into the spotlight, bringing fresh energy, renewed vision, and a deep respect for the legacy they’ve long helped shape. The story continues, and the next chapter is just beginning.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision
With the Heringer family at the helm, the spirit of Sonoma Portworks lives on honoring the past while opening doors to exciting new possibilities. Plans are in place to expand tasting experiences, reintroduce past events, and explore thoughtful food pairings that showcase how to enjoy their new family of wines at home.
“It’s about continuing the story,” says Mike Heringer, owner, winemaker, and CEO of Heringer Estates. “Bill and Caryn built something truly special, and we’re honored to carry that forward with care, respect, and plenty of port.”
As the legacy of Sonoma Portworks merges with the heritage of Heringer Estates, wine lovers can expect the same warm welcome, the same handcrafted excellence and a growing family ready to toast to the future.
Pairs well with life
Part of the Sonoma Portworks tasting room experience is sharing our food pairing discoveries with you. Our ports and after-dinner wines pair perfectly with a variety of cheeses, chocolates, and desserts. And we’re more than happy to show you how to recreate the magic at home.
We’re always on the lookout for new ways to explore how our ports and after-dinner wines can bring fun and flavor into your life!