Our story
Creating Vineyards of Distinction
Bevill Vineyard Management (BVM) is a progressive farming company with a history spanning over four decades. Owned and operated by experienced leaders and innovators, the business manages more than 1,200 acres and employs nearly 100 skilled vineyard employees throughout the growing season. A pioneer in sustainable vineyard development and management, BVM is a leader in land stewardship, socially equitable practices, and sound financial accountability.
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Duff, Dave Stare, and his daughter Kim, toasting to a new cellar and bottling line.1970sOrigin story
Duff Bevill moved to Sonoma County in 1973 and began working for a Dry Creek Valley farmer named Joe Vogensen, owner of Peña Creek Farm Management. A revival of vineyards and the wine industry was just beginning in Sonoma County. Throughout the 1970’s, as prune, apple, and pear orchards converted to vineyards, Duff built his own business in Dry Creek Valley. In 1977, David Stare, owner of Dry Creek Vineyard, was an early supporter and gave Duff his first job farming his properties at Dry Creek Vineyard. Duff began experimenting with minimal till and specialized cover crops.
Duff and Nancy Bevill developed their first property in 1978, converting a prune orchard to a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Nancy took on an active role developing BVM, managing compliance and bookkeeping tasks, which she continues today. In 1984, the Bevill family purchased a larger parcel in Dry Creek Valley, where they made their home and planted their first Merlot and Chardonnay vineyards.
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Nancy and Duff at their home in Dry Creek Valley.1980sProsperous growth
In 1983, Duff and Nancy hired Javier Ramirez as a foreman. As the vineyard industry evolved, Javier worked alongside Duff for three decades, helping execute and expand innovative practices, such as non-till, alternative row cultivation, leaf removal as a disease control technique, and install Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) Trellis Systems to improve fruit quality and enhance field efficiencies. A driving force during the early days of BVM, he recruited, trained, and retained the best available field talent in the county. Javier became a partner in 2003 and retired in 2016.
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Matt riding the family 3-wheeler with his father, Joe.1990sExpansion & diversification
Matt Vogensen, a recent graduate of California Polytechnic University, returned to Dry Creek Valley and co-founded a vineyard irrigation business with his father Joe. Matt joined BVM in 1998 as an irrigation and new vineyard development specialist.
Duff Bevill became active in many organizations as a leader and spokesperson: a board member of North Coast Grape Growers, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley and the Sonoma County Grape Growers.
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Matt attending the “First Day of Harvest Toast” at Dry Creek Winery.2000sIndustry leadership and stewardship
In 2002, Duff Bevill lead a team of stakeholders to organize and present Sustainable Winegrowing workshops to growers in every Sonoma County appellation. The Code of Sustainable Winegrowing workbook became the tool to self-assess farming and business practices, identifying areas of excellence and noting areas for improvement. The growers embraced the process and developed action plans to increase each operation’s sustainability. With the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Workbook in hand, BVM participated in the annual self-assessment program for the next 10 years.
In 2003, Matt Vogensen became a full partner at BVM with oversight of all field operations.
In 2004, Duff Bevill led a countywide campaign to form a grower-based marketing commission under the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Growers voted in 2006 to form Sonoma County Winegrowers Commission. The mission endures: to increase the value of the region’s wine grapes, to nurture and protect agricultural resources for generations.
In 2014, BVM was one of the first vineyard management companies in Sonoma County to receive third party certification under the directive of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (Wine Institute and CAWG). Then, as now, all BVM-managed vineyards are self-assessed annually and third party certified as meeting the standards of sustainability.
In 2015, with encouragement from Duff Bevill, the Winegrape Commission set a goal for Sonoma County grape growers to become 100% sustainable within 5 years, a standard achieved by December 2019.
The H-2A visa guest worker program proved to be a viable alternative to stabilize our company workforce. Duff Bevill became a leader in promoting, quality housing in Sonoma County for these Ag workers. The H-2A program enables agricultural employers to respond to shortages of domestic workers by bringing foreign workers to the U.S. on a temporary basis to perform seasonal work. BVM and the Bevill Family Trust provide free housing to all of our H-2A farm workers who relocate annually from Mexico to work for us.
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TodayStrength through experience, diversity and commitment
Twenty-first century viticulturists who combine science with environmentally sound farming, we successfully blend modern technology and practical experience to collect and analyze data, creating a unique management plan for each vineyard. Hands-on management and land stewardship are BVM hallmarks. We grow the highest quality wine grapes and deliver the fruit to wineries in pristine condition, assuring the winemakers produce exceptional wines.
Partner Duff Bevill oversees properties farmed under full-service year-round contracts, interacting daily with all field supervisors who manage crews in Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Franz Valley, and Russian River Valley. Partner Matt Vogensen manages crews doing custom farming tasks on a project basis, such as land preparation, vineyard and drainage design, and installation. He provides oversight for all field operations. Accurate and timely financial reporting is a priority in all BVM activity, whether the job is a one-time custom assignment or a long-term property management agreement.