Brenae Royal: Trailblazing Vineyard Manager Unveils Her Own Wine Brand

Brenae Royal, a former director at Monte Rosso Vineyard, underwent significant life changes in 2024, leading her to launch a new wine brand. The year was marked by her transition from Monte Rosso to St. Supéry Vineyards, the passing of her beloved dog Violet Mae, and a newfound purpose in winemaking.

Reflecting on this transformative period, Royal stated, “As hard as 2024 was, I’m now doing a lot of things I used to only talk about. So all of it was necessary. It was a big character development year.” In honor of her late dog, she named her wine label Violet’s Paradise and plans to offer a presale of her first sparkling wine this month. This wine, produced in collaboration with J Vineyards, will be sold for $65, with half of the proceeds supporting The Veraison Project, a nonprofit working to promote diversity in the wine industry.

Royal is passionate about giving back, motivated by her own experience of receiving an agriculture scholarship that enabled her to attend Chico State. With plans to raise around $50,000 through her wine sales, she aims to create the Violet’s Paradise Agriculture Scholarship to assist underrepresented collegiate agriculture students.

Her journey into winemaking began unexpectedly when a colleague gifted her a barrel of 2023 Monte Rosso Cabernet Franc. Inspired to create a brand honoring Violet Mae, she swiftly moved forward with her plans. Royal’s first release, The Veraison Project sparkling wine—a blanc de noirs—will be followed by five other varietals later this year, all sourced from Monte Rosso Vineyard.

Royal has not abandoned her agricultural roots and is considering vineyard ownership in Napa or Sonoma counties. “Farming is really my calling and what I enjoy most,” she expressed. Royal’s wines are a tribute to her late dog and her growth as a vineyard manager, and she looks forward to sharing her creations with the world.

To learn more about the presale for The Veraison Project, visit brenaeroyal.com or find her on Instagram @_cabrenae.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!