The Pauli Family owns and operates Yokayo Wine Company and has a long history in Mendocino County. The family began farming in Potter Valley in the 1920s after moving from Willits, where they settled in the 1850s. The family originally farmed Bartlett pears and had a small dairy in Potter Valley, and it was not until the 1970s when Bill Pauli planted the family’s first wine grape vineyard.
Pauli Family, 1905
Pauli Family, 2015
Bill grew the grape business over the decades, purchased more vineyards as well as several wineries, and today Bill, his wife Janet, and their five children farm pears and vineyards in five AVAs, in three counties. Pauli’s vineyards include 13 varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Pauli Family vineyards are all certified sustainable under the Fish Friendly Farming program.
Bill Pauli, Founder
Our President, Bill Pauli, started in the wine industry in the 1970s. Bill, a third generation farmer, grew up farming bartlett pears with his mom and dad in Potter Valley. After graduating from University of Nevada Reno, Bill started his own farm management company, focusing on wine grapes, while taking over management of his family farm. Bill continued to grow his business by purchasing vineyards across the North Coast region, and in 2008 along with his wife and five grown children, constructed Yokayo Wine Company.
Along the way Bill was the CEO of Souverain Winery, CEO of Saint Genevieve Winery, and co-owner of Redwood Valley Cellars. He served as President of the California Farm Bureau, Chair of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers, and is the Fire Chief of the Potter Valley Volunteer Fire Department, where he has served for 55 years. Bill also served on the Cal Fed Bay Delta Advisory Committee, the State of California White Fly Task Force, the State of California Med Fly Task Force, the California Foundation for the Environment and Economy, the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, and the Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.
Bill has been recognized for his accomplishments throughout the years, including being named the Mendocino County Agriculturist of the Year, receiving the California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award and was named the State of California Agriculturist of the Year at the California State Fair.
