The Reid Family
The
Reids have roots in the Napa Valley that go back to the mid 19th
century. Kirk's great-great grandparents met at the Napa Hotel in 1862.
They married and settled near Calistoga where they farmed the land and
served as guides for East Coast tourists who visited The Geysers. Their
daughter, Kirk's great-grandmother, was born in Calistoga in 1875. Kirk and Karen's interest in winemaking began in 1978 after settling in
the Napa Valley. Kirk, a family physician, established a medical practice. Their winemaking
hobby gradually evolved into Reid Family Vineyards. Their first vineyard was planted in 1992.
Kirk was born in Palo Alto and grew up in Los Altos, California. After
graduating from Occidental College in Los Angeles, he was a Peace Corps
Volunteer in the Philippines. He attended medical school at the
University of Hawaii and the University of California,Davis. Kirk is
fond of pointing out that the practice of medicine and the making of
great wine both require blending science and art.
Karen also grew up in Los Altos. She studied art at UC Berkeley and,
after graduation taught English as a Peace Corps Volunteer in
Micronesia. When the children were teenagers, she became manager of
Kirk's medical office. A skilled designer, Karen created the J.Kirkwood and Reid Family Vineyards labels.
Together Kirk and Karen raised three children, Kevin, Kyla, and Bay. As children, the Reid kids helped to make the homemade wine. As adults, they enjoy sharing Reid Family Vineyards wines with friends across the country.
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