Our Story
Our family story began on Seebass Vineyards which was located in the Mendocino Appellation, where rugged coastlines, breathtaking beaches, majestic redwood forests and America’s Greenest Wine Region a slower pace. The estate was located in the lush Russian River Valley between the Mayacamas and Coastal Mountain ranges.
With a long farming tradition and a love of wine, Michelle’s parents emigrated from Germany in 1968. In the mid 1980’s the family established Seebass Vineyards in Mendocino County. Named for Michelle’s grandparents Ilse and Fritz Seebass, they have honored them with a commitment and lifelong passion for growing the finest grapes, as well as crafting fine wines. For over thirty years, the family closely managed the vineyard in pursuit of the highest quality fruit. Formerly a pear orchard decades before it was planted under grape, the historic barns and drying sheds remained much as they were nearly one hundred years ago. The vineyard was replanted and improved progressively, replacing less productive varietals with Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as nurturing the Old Vine Zinfandel, planted in the early 1900’s. Our farming practices were always been hand-harvested, sustainable, fish-friendly and directed towards producing the best quality fruit. Today, the Seebass brand along with the estate-grown fine wines, is procuring small-lot varietals from throughout Anderson Valley and Mendocino County, and beyond.
For most of Michelle’s life, the vineyard has been the focus of her family. Her careers in technology and legal firms in San Francisco gave her an excellent basis to transition into the day to day operations of a winemaking business, as she now oversees the finance, compliance, and planning of her company. Michelle personally oversaw operations and welcomes guests to their beautiful Tasting Room in Boonville, California, in the heart of Anderson Valley, for nearly a decade.
Her husband Scott, has also transitioned from a technology marketing career spanning 30 years. In San Francisco he led his own company that produced branding strategies, new business initiatives and advertising campaigns. Today he oversees marketing, working with winemakers, creative designers, distributors, restaurants and the trade to develop sales channel opportunities for the business. The family is immersed in the winemaking business.
While the family closely managed the vineyard in pursuit of then highest quality fruit, creating the continuously award winning-wine, estate-grown for over thirty years, the love of travel, family and winemaking friends throughout Germany has called. As Seebass Family Wines revolved around the 96 acre family estate vineyard, Domäne Myrenne seeks the wider world of wine and the passion and hardwork it rewards. Join us as we continue to explore small producers, importing exclusively for our Club members who have always enjoyed our palate and our dedication to family production of small-lot wines throughout the world.
Winemaking
Seebass Family Wines, and our family relationships and decades of personal friendships in the winemaking world, have led us to very unique winemakers working with our vineyards, viticulture, and winemaking programs.
Stéphane Vivier
. Since 2011, Stéphane Vivier has numerous award-winning wines for us, in classic Provençal, Rhône, and Burgundian styles, ranging from our Gold Medal 93 point Grand Reserve Chardonnay to our 98 point 2015 Rosé of Grenache, and our acclaimed Double Gold Medal Grand Reserve Syrah and 99 point Merlot wines. Stéphane’s classic skills in vineyard management and winemaking from around the world are reflected in his extraordinary winemaking. Born and raised in France, Stéphane’s experiences were cultivated in the vineyards and cellars of Pommard, Meursault and Chassagne-Montrachet and then expanded through his work in Switzerland, New Zealand and finally in the Sonoma Coast Appellation. With a strong background in biochemistry andadvanced degrees in enology and viticulture, Stéphane turns his focus toward our vineyards and the soils to develop our Seebass Family Wines.
