Our Story
Grower Produced Wines
Founded in 2008 by Ned and Erika Hill, La Prenda Vineyard Management Company started as just focusing on the vineyards. Quickly, Ned saw the opportunity for making our own wine and controlling the quality and price throughout the entire process. In 2013, we launched our wine collection to the world. Water Into Wine Inc. was founded to bring our customers the best Sonoma and Napa County wines from a family owned company at a great price. We now offer a portfolio of three labels; Sonoma Collection Wines, La Prenda Wines, and Fifth Hill Wines.
Ned Hill-The Owner
Our owners, Ned and Erika Hill, have a long history in the vineyards of Sonoma. Ned’s parents, Steve and Gwen (Parmelee) Hill, moved to Sonoma in 1979, when Ned was just 3 years old, and immediately started farming some of the first grapes on the West side of the Valley. Steve worked for a lifelong family friend named Ed Durell, and spent 30 years managing the Durell Ranch, Under Steve’s management, the ranch gained a world renowned reputation as a supplier of quality winegrapes.
Ned started working in the vineyards at age 9 and was driving a tractor by age 12. It didn’t take long for Ned to realize that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Ned attended Cal Poly, SLO and received a degree in Fruit Science (the closest thing they had to viticulture at the time) and a minor in Plant Protection. He was named the “Outstanding Fruit Science Graduate” for his graduating year.
Upon graduation, Ned moved back to Sonoma and began to work with Steve. They managed the Durell property, their own Parmelee-Hill Vineyard as well as some properties for others in Sonoma Valley.
Ned has always been heavily involved in community activism for the grape-growing community. He currently serving his second term as the president of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance (SVVGA) and has been a board member for over 8 years. The growth and success of the “Community Action Committee”, which spread the word of the positive impact of grape growers and wineries through things like scholarships and a “Life in the vineyard” book for school children has been his greatest accomplishment in SVVGA to date. He was also a member of the prestigious California Agricultural Leadership program, and was was named “Outstanding Young Farmer” by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair in 2005. He currently sits on the Wine and Viticulture Advisory Council for his alma mater, Cal Poly, SLO.
In 2008, Ned stopped working full time for his father and founded La Prenda Vineyards Management Inc, with his wife, Erika. Shortly after, they saw the opportunity for making their own wine and bringing it to the consumer directly. In 2013, Water Into Wine Inc. was founded to bring our customers the best Sonoma and Napa County wines from a family owned company at a great price.
Michael Cox- The Winemaker
Mike Cox joined La Prenda wines in 2020, after working alongside pioneering vintner Walter Schug for 25 years. His award winning wines are known for their elegance, balance and longevity.
A Sonoma native, Cox graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Enology in 1991 while working his way up through local wine cellars during summer months. He joined Schug Winery in 1995, taking over the Winemaker role, while Walter Schug shifted to “Winemaster” as he approached retirement. Cox was in charge of all day to day production, long term planning and both on and offsite winemaking.
“Having worked with Ned for two decades, I jumped at the chance to broaden my palate and work closely with the vineyard sites he farms. I love the idea of bringing these wines to market directly, rather than seeing them get lost in bigger blends. I like that we are a farming business first, and aim to bring well-crafted, honest wines to the table.”
“Basically, my job is to bring out the individual vineyard character and over-deliver at price point while maintaining style and elegance in the wines.”
