Giracci Vineyards and Farms

Chad and Linda, sharing an unbridled enthusiasm for fine food and wine followed their hearts to wine country, tasting and touring around the globe. They only imagined living the dream in the countryside, getting back to their roots; riding their horses, tending their garden, loving the land and growing and harvesting grapes. After the two married in 1998 Chad and Linda Kearns connected with best friends and fellow philanthropists Michael and Donna Cipolla to make wine. As hobby wine makers Michael now jokes with Chad, “The first year we taught them and the second year they taught us.” That was the year that Chad put his doctorate in Pharmacy to the test using his background in chemistry to take a winning medal for their 2001 Zinfandel at the OC Fair.

As their wine interest grew, so did their production and the couple who once made wine at home now made hobby wine out of a warehouse. They diligently honed their cooking skills, traveled throughout the US, Italy and France, wining and dining their way through the wine regions. The two knew a winery would one day be in their future. Seriously considering starting a winery in France, they even looked at property in Bordeaux. Realizing they could not leave their family and friends in Southern California they took to the rolling hills, beautiful oak trees, warm days and cool evenings of Central California where Chad grew up. After weekend over weekend of travel back and forth to Central California, the couple realized that only their grapes would come from Paso Robles and they would remain in Orange County.

After over a decade of visiting Silverado-Modjeska the Kearns dream became a reality. With their 4 children, two horses and 4 dogs in tow, the Kearns rescued a 10 acre historic horse ranch right in their own backyard in Silverado Orange County, California January 2005. With a feeling of being so far yet so close to home right in the heart of Orange County, the Kearns knew that this would be home to their winery, Giracci Vineyards and Farms named for Linda’s maiden ancestral name. The struggle to repair the property, right the permits and gain permission was a bureaucratic challenge, however passion won out and the rest is history.

Giracci Vineyards and Farms opened in 2010 and went on to win several awards including gold and double gold medals in LA, San Francisco and Orange County. The Kearns brought a rustic yet elegance charm to the old Jackson Ranch …and a dream.