About Us

 

Sal Captain, formerly the head of Research and Development for a billion‑dollar medical device company, brings world‑class precision and best practices to every aspect of our winemaking. His passion is getting every grape to reach its highest potential, and he approaches each vintage with the same dedication he brought to his engineering career. Unlike most engineers, however, Sal loves to chat—ask him a question about winemaking and you may hear more than you ever imagined, delivered with enthusiasm and a smile.

                                                                                                        

Susan Captain tested her skills as a grower long before she planted her first vine—by raising four children. After great success in that endeavor, she turned her focus to grape growing and dove wholeheartedly into the craft. Today, she is a licensed Qualified Applicator, a Certified Bay-Friendly Landscape Professional, a WPS Fieldworker Trainer and pesticide handler, a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), and a participant in the California Food Handler Training Certificate program. She also serves on the IPM Advisory Committee for Contra Costa County.

Susan and her husband, Sal, are founding members of the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association (LWGA). She has served on the board since its inception in 2005 and was president from 2012 to 2014.

“It’s in the nature of the grapevine to respond to challenging conditions, and it’s the job of the growers to remind the vine that it’s capable of doing so.”

In the little off‑time she has, Susan enjoys spending time with her eight granddaughters, leading a viticulture 4‑H project for local middle and high school students, and hosting interns from Saint Mary’s College who are interested in agriculture, marketing, and business. She holds a degree in Statistics—a discipline the vines, she notes, seem to respect immensely. As of March 3, 2020, Susan is also a certified QWEL, QAL professional.

David Captain, a Northwestern graduate in engineering, loves the hard work and joy that come with growing, harvesting, crushing, and the entire winemaking process. He has been involved in the winery since his college years, learning every step from the ground up. Today, David proudly represents Captain Vineyards at many venues and events, sharing the family’s commitment to sustainable, handcrafted wines with the community.

David has recently embarked on an exciting new adventure in Paris, where he is enrolled at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu hospitality institute. He is furthering his passion for viticulture and wine, expanding his knowledge of global wine traditions, and bringing new inspiration to the Captain Vineyards legacy.

                                                                                                     

Joseph Captain, a 2011 UC Davis graduate in Political Science, is our IT professional and an essential part of Captain Vineyards’ technological backbone. He played a key role in developing our first website and continues to explore new technologies that help the winery grow and innovate. Joseph has never missed a harvest and is always hands‑on during bottling and labeling.

Joseph is currently a member of the Sacramento Fire Department, serving as an EMT and more. Despite the demands of his work, he enjoys the peaceful, grounding rhythm of the vineyard and winery, where he relaxes, reconnects, and contributes whenever he can. His blend of technical skill, service‑driven dedication, and love for the land makes him an invaluable part of the Captain Vineyards family.

 

Sara Captain was just fifteen when the vines were first planted, growing up alongside the early development of the vineyard. Today, she works in the tech industry and spends her weekends helping with various aspects of the winery business. Her long‑term vision is to strengthen Captain Vineyards through the three pillars of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental. Sara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Human Complex Systems from UCLA, grounding her passion for sustainable growth in both data and human‑centered insight.

Sara has recently launched her own Pilates studio at Captain Vineyards, creating a unique health and wellness opportunity in the heart of the vineyard. Her work has been featured in the Green Moraga Monthly publication, reflecting her commitment to community well‑being and innovative uses of vineyard space. Learn more about her studio at Small Steps Pilates

                                                                                                 

Lily and Camille are the two oldest of Susan and Sal Captain’s eight grandchildren—followed by Hazel, Celine, Alex, Ava, Sophie, and Sasha. With every visit to the vineyard, the grandchildren dive into all aspects of running the winery. They help with netting, testing the water system, identifying insects and diseases, tucking and suckering the vines, and even giving tours. Their hands‑on participation reflects the Captain family tradition of learning, stewardship, and joy in the craft of sustainable grape growing.  Check our blog at www.captainvineyards.com