Bill is a Sonoma County native, raised in the country outside of Petaluma. His love of the outdoors and agriculture developed early, as he grew up working on dairies and ranches throughout Sonoma and Marin Counties. Upon graduation from UC Davis, he joined Farm Credit at their St Helena office in the Napa Valley.  Here, Bill learned the wine industry - financing vineyard and winery operations.  Eventually, Bill was recruited by Jay Corley to help run Monticello Cellars' vineyards and wineries.  After a sabbatical to earn an MBA, Bill became General Manager at Peter Michael Winery near Calistoga.  At the time, it was a small, unknown startup.  Over the next 14 years, Bill helped develop Peter Michael Winery into one of the most respected luxury winery and vineyard estates in the United States.  

In 2006, Bill and his wife Cathy set out to start Baton Wines.  Returning to the land he knows, Bill's experience and intimate knowledge of the landscape, soil types, microclimates, fog and wind patterns in his native Sonoma County have proven invaluable in identifying vineyard sites that produce the highest quality grapes.

Cathy Vyenielo - owner

Jeff Pisoni – Winemaker