Sharon Mendoza Doughty, Matriarch of Point Reyes Vineyards, and a third generation West Marin Native Passed away on 11-19-2014. Daughter of Joseph H. and Scotty Mendoza.
A true pioneer in the Marin County wine industry. Along with her husband Steve Doughty, they started the first Winery and Tasting Room in Marin County since the prohibition of the 1930s.
Raised at the end of the Point Reyes peninsula, her Grandfather purchased the Historic “A” and “B” ranches in 1920s, and they were later sold to the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Sharon was also a dairywoman; she ran her dairy for 26 years with her husband Steve. She was one of two women to run their own dairies in California for several years. Seeing a downturn in the dairy business she decided to plant some Champagne grapes on her ranch, with guidance from Saralee and Richard Kunde.
As it turned out, the soil and climate were perfect for California Sparkling wine. She won many awards for her sparkling wines as well as for her Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from her Terra Linda vineyard. Sharon’s daughter Kathleen Bianchini married Stephen vonRaesfeld, architect too many in wine industry. Stephen was staff architect for Jess Jackson and his family of wineries. He now operates von Raesfeld Associates Architects.
Sharon was also a junior high school teacher, an account, a philanthropist, a winemaker, a true entrepreneur.
