Our Story
Firestone Vineyard was established in 1972 – marking the birth of Santa Barbara County’s first estate winery. What began as a bold vision to plant a vineyard and create exceptional wines has evolved into a thriving estate under Vintner Bill Foley’s leadership. With 325 acres of certified sustainable vineyards in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, Firestone wines now stand proudly alongside California’s best, blending rich tradition with a forward-thinking approach.
Founding Story
Firestone was founded by Leonard Firestone, son of tire pioneer Harvey Firestone, and his son Brooks—In the early 1970s, Harvey’s son Leonard, a former United States Ambassador to Belgium, established a family ranch in Santa Barbara County’s rugged Santa Ynez Valley. At the time, Santa Barbara County barely registered on California’s winegrowing radar, but Leonard saw immense potential in the region’s coastal climate and amenable soils. He decided to plant a vineyard, with the initial intent of selling the grapes to North Coast wineries. Soon thereafter, Leonard was joined by his son Brooks and Brooks’ wife Kate, and together they decided to take their winegrowing adventure to the next level by establishing Santa Barbara County’s first estate winery.
Santa Ynez Valley Wine
Located in a “Goldilocks” climate, Firestone’s moderate temperatures and extended growing season create the perfect environment for a wide variety of grapes. Our red wines, inspired by Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley, include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Our white wines, sourced from Burgundy, the Loire Valley, and Germany, feature Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. Each Firestone wine is crafted to be concentrated, ripe, and perfectly balanced, with every bottle reflecting both its varietal roots and the distinctive character of our unique terroir.