RON MCMANIS, PRESIDENT AND CO-OWNER
Ron McManis graduated from Modesto High School in 1979 and joined the McManis family business, becoming the fourth generation to farm in California’s northern interior. His father, Paul W. McManis Jr., a successful Stanislaus County farmer, grew almonds, peaches, and wine grapes, and sold the grapes to many of the wineries in the region. Ron first learned about growing grapes working with his father in the late 1970s and early 80’s; he fell in love with grape growing and determined to learn all he could about producing premium wine grapes.
He married Jamie Self in 1986 and the two worked together in the McManis farming business, sharpening their business and marketing skills. In 1990, Ron and Jamie formed a corporation, RJM Enterprises, Inc. and purchased their first vineyard, known as River Junction Vineyards. In 1994, they created another new company, McManis Family Vineyards, Inc. In 1995, the new company began custom crushing grapes from family-owned and managed vineyards, selling the bulk wine to several North Coast wineries.
Ron McManis is President and Co-Owner of McManis Family Vineyards and believes the most important goal of the company is to produce a great bottle of wine at a fair price, offering consumers a consistently well-made product vintage to vintage. He takes pride in the accomplishments of his family and employees and appreciates their achievements.
Ron is a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program Class of XXI, and in 1997 he was selected by the California Jaycees as an Outstanding Young Farmer. He is a current member and past Board Member of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, a member of the California Wine Institute, the Wine Market Council, and the California Farm Bureau.
JAMIE MCMANIS, VICE-PRESIDENT AND CO-OWNER
Jamie Self met Ron McManis in 1985. Jamie’s mother introduced her to Ron while working in the family office, and they were married in 1986. Following their marriage, Jamie began working with Ron in the McManis farming business, growing almonds, peaches and grapes; in 1994 they formed McManis Family Vineyards, Inc.
Jamie is Vice-President and Co-Owner of McManis Family Vineyards, and supports the goal of the company to produce great wines. She is responsible for all winery administration and oversees the development of the McManis Family Vineyards case goods program. She also takes time out and enjoys talking to their many fans on the MFV Facebook page.
Jamie is a past member of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and the Soroptimist Club of Ripon. She has helped with fundraising for many charitable organizations in the area and served on several committees in the past. A dedicated animal lover, Jamie’s busy household includes two dogs.
DIRK HEUVEL, VICE PRESIDENT OF VINEYARD OPERATIONS
Dirk graduated from Ripon High School in 2005 and continued his education at Modesto Junior College with a focus in Plant Science. He began working for McManis Family Vineyards in 2009, and in 2012, he took over as Vineyard Manager and currently oversees all vineyard operations. He has a passion for producing the highest quality sustainable grapes possible. Dirk continues his progressive winegrowing methods by implementing new technologies into his everyday grape growing. In his spare time, he is the Chairman of the Ripon FFA board, and loves and go hunting. Together, he and Tanya are very involved in the community.
JUSTIN MCMANIS, VICE PRESIDENT OF WINERY OPERATIONS
Justin graduated from Ripon High in 2006 and began working at McManis Family Vineyards as a fifth generation family farmer. Justin had grown up around the winery and agriculture, and began getting familiar with winemaking practices as early as 16 years old and has loved it ever since. He currently oversees all purchasing and winery operations. Justin’s winemaking philosophy is to treat every single employee as if they are part of the family. Justin is very passionate about the winemaking process and the wines that McManis Family Vineyards makes each year. Justin married his wife, Stefanie Powell, in 2015, and together they have two sons, Lincoln & Grayson.
TANYA MCMANIS HEUVEL, DIRECT TO CONSUMER MANAGER
Only being 9 years old when the winery was built in 1999, Tanya McManis grew up around the facility and agriculture. She graduated Ripon High School in 2008, and then continued her education in Agriculture Business at Modesto Junior College. In 2010, she began working full time at McManis Family Vineyards. She and her husband, Dirk Heuvel, were married in 2012. Tanya now splits her time between their two children and working at the winery. She is currently overseeing office administration alongside her mother, Jamie, and heading the Direct to Consumer program at McManis Family Vineyards. She is on the Economic Development Board for the city of Ripon, and she heads up McManis’ philanthropy efforts and is active in the Ripon community.