A Passion for Winemaking
Growing up surrounded by wine enthusiasts, particularly our maternal grandfather – a true wine connoisseur – we developed an early affection for wine that blossomed into a deep passion for winemaking. This lifelong dream of producing our own wines has finally come to fruition.
Wine was a constant at our family dinner table, and some of our fondest memories involve our grandfather sneaking us sips during Sunday dinners. We often laugh at how our dad would overhear us, even as children, discussing the nuances of the wine – what we liked and what we didn’t.
Throughout our college years, we spent summers immersed in all aspects of the wine industry, working in wineries both domestically and internationally. We learned the business from the ground up, gaining hands-on experience in everything from front-office operations and tasting rooms to production facilities and vineyards. To deepen our knowledge, we worked with renowned winemakers in California and Argentina and traveled extensively through the wine regions of France, Italy, and Australia.
After graduating, we made our home in Napa Valley, dedicating ourselves to honing our craft and pursuing our vision. Combining our names, Jenna Marie and Mara Denise, into JennaMarise, marked an exciting step in our shared dream.
Our mission is simple: to create wines we love and hope you will enjoy as much as we do. We are thrilled to have achieved our lifelong goal of crafting our own wines, and we are grateful to have you join us on this journey. We look forward to sharing a glass of JennaMarise with you soon!
"...bold flavors and all the nuances that go into making a great wine..."
Our team
Meet Our Winemaker
vintners
Our journey with Bob Foley began over 20 years ago, and from the moment we met, we knew there was something special about him. The first sip of his wine captivated us with its bold flavors, perfectly balanced tannins, and the nuanced craftsmanship that defines a truly beautiful wine. While we didn’t initially have plans to create our own wine, Bob confidently assured us, “I will make your wine one day!” Fast forward to 2019, and the stars finally aligned. Bob was ready to take on our project, and we were eager to dive in headfirst. We are thrilled to have Bob as our winemaker and eternally grateful for his expertise.
Bob Foley’s winemaking journey began in Napa Valley in 1977, after earning degrees in both Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. His career took off at Heinz Cellars, where he spent his first year before becoming the founding winemaker at Markham Vineyards for 15 years.
In 1992, Bob embarked on a new chapter as the founding winemaker at Pride Mountain Vineyards, where he spent another 15 years crafting some of the most highly acclaimed wines in the region, including Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma, and School House Wines. Today, Bob focuses primarily on his own label, Robert Foley Vineyards, while also lending his talents to JennaMarise, Padis Vineyards, and Herson Family Vineyards.
Bob’s excellence in winemaking has not gone unnoticed. In 2007, he was named Winemaker of the Year by Robert Parker and Food & Wine Magazine. Shortly thereafter, he completed the construction of his own winery and an extensive cave system on Howell Mountain, just in time for the 2008 harvest. The cave, which holds over 1,500 barrels, is where all production and bottling take place. Mara even joined Bob to add the finishing touches and experience her first crush.
When Bob is not making wine, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelly, his children, and his granddaughters. You might also find him singing and playing guitar with The Robert Foley Band or mountain biking through the beautiful Napa landscape.
