Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl
Gina Schober: Sans Wine Co.
Wappo land - St. Helena, California
www.sanswineco.com, @sanswineco
You could say that wine is in Gina Schober’s DNA. Her maternal grandfather was a grape grower in Lake County for several decades while her paternal grandfather was a Gallo Wines sales rep in the 1960s. Genetically predisposed, it was her restaurant experience that truly sparked her passion. The hospitality industry is where she was introduced to a breadth of different wines and fell for her first sips of a Nebbiolo from the Gattinara DOCG, Marsannay Rosé and a Cote de Brouilly Cru Beaujolais. She was inspired to learn as much as she could about the wine world and found that she relished the opportunity to acquaint customers with new wines, suggesting bottles that similarly opened eyes, dropped jaws and brightened moments. Deriving great joy in connecting people with new flavors and pairings, she went on to focus her career on creating uplifting wine experiences.
Encouraging beginning wine aficionados to try everything and anything, and go beyond the label, Gina runs this business to do just that. Sans Wine Co is built on not just promoting environmentally conscious natural wines, but on tipping a hat to the people behind the product. Transparency in the process, giving credit to organically focused growers, and making wines that showcase vineyard site and terroir, vintage and grape varietal. Ultimately crafting wines without unnecessary chemicals, additives or oak -- allowing pure ingredients and the work behind them to shine.
Excited about what the future holds, Gina is grateful that her enthusiasm for wine has created both a business and a catalyst for others to join the industry. As the brand grows, she is eager to expand: building out the team, giving more farmers, makers, and all the roles in between, the opportunity to be recognized and honored with the acknowledgement they all deserve.