Gracianna Moments: A New Short from Gracianna Films

Featuring Director Kai Rebollo and Cinematographer Marc Spencer Tejada

Gracianna Winery is proud to announce the release of its latest short film, Gracianna Moments, directed by the rising Los Angeles-based creative talent Kai Rebollo, and beautifully captured by Bay Area Director of Photography, Marc Spencer Tejada. The film premieres online on Wednesday, August 27, showcasing the emotional depths and visual poetry of Sonoma County—rooted in Gracianna’s brand promise of “wines for those with something to be grateful for.”

Kai Rebollo, an up-and-coming producer and director who has worked across genres including Hollywood productions, documentaries, music videos, and commercials, brings a fresh, human-centered perspective to the project. “I’m drawn to storytelling that captures life’s raw, meaningful moments,” he says. “Stories that connect family, legacy, and resilience resonate deeply with myself and Gracianna’s mission.”

Acclaimed cinematographer Marc Spencer Tejada, known for his evocative and intimate visual language, captures the vineyard and the heartfelt moments that define the Gracianna experience. https://tejada.myportfolio.com/

As Forbes writer Noel Burgess recently wrote in his feature on top Sonoma County wineries, “Gracianna feels like visiting an old friend… where the experience rivals the wine.” He describes the winery as succinctly capturing the new traveler’s desire for authenticity and emotional immersion—recognition of the same heartfelt values brought to life in this film.

Trini Amador, film producer and co-founder of Gracianna, notes, “Our members and guests tell us time and again that Gracianna is always there for life’s journey—through moments both hard and wonderful. ‘Moments’ is our way of honoring those real experiences.”

This film is another in a growing number of important stories in the Gracianna Films series and is being submitted to select film festivals. It invites viewers into a sensory journey of memory, gratitude, and emotional connection, timely and tender in wine country.

Watch the film online at https://youtu.be/jYH2aOqlwnc beginning August 27, 2025.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Kai Rebollo is an up-and-coming Los Angeles based producer and director. A native Californian with a passion for storytelling, he loves to share meaningful human experiences with audiences. He has worked on projects ranging from Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries, and national broadcasts with a current focus on commercials, music videos and his own short films. He is always looking for the next great story to tell. https://kairebollo.com/

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Gracianna Winery Named a Top Destination Where Experience Rivals the Wine, Says Forbes

Healdsburg’s family-owned Gracianna leads a new wave of soulful hospitality—honored as one of five must-visit wine experiences in California

Gracianna Winery proudly highlights its immersive, soulful hospitality at a time when wine lovers are seeking more than just great wine—they want connection and meaning.

Featured in the Forbes article “5 Sonoma County Wineries Where The Experience Rivals The Wine,” Gracianna stands out for visits rooted in storytelling, warmth, and family. “We built Gracianna around a feeling—gratitude. The wine is the welcome mat,” says Winemaker Trini Amador. “Our guests come for more than a tasting—they come for something real.”

The experience begins with the story of Gracianna Lasaga, the founder’s great-great-grandmother, who embodied gratitude by cooking for shepherds in her Basque village. That legacy inspires every visit—where guests feel like family and the experience feels deeply personal.

“At Gracianna, we show up for each other and for every visitor,” says Fernando Arellano,  Hospitality Manager. “That’s why we’re Tripadvisor’s #1 ‘Thing To Do in Healdsburg,’ a Travelers’ Choice Award winner, and a ‘Top 10 Winery in California’ according to San Francisco TV news station KRON4. Forbes’ acknowledgment confirms that soulful experiences matter.”

Gracianna offers curated, tiered experiences such as private tastings, enhanced seating, and food pairings. These enhancements cater to the traveler who values heartfelt connections more than polished marketing.

“Guests crave meaning over message,” says Amador. “Gracianna’s story, team, and space are all about creating genuine moments of gratitude.”

“Warm, welcoming, and full of heart…Gracianna embodies the ‘Gift of Gratitude,’ offering wine lovers a heartfelt celebration of life’s blessings and moments of thankfulness.” — Forbes

According to American Express’s 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, 79% of Millennials and Gen Z care more about the right travel experience than cost, and 66% are willing to pay more for upgrades. Gracianna is built for this new traveler—where elevated hospitality meets comfort, joy, and real connections.

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Gracianna Winery Partners with The Jaime & Blanca Jarrín Foundation to support “Wine Night at the Ravine”

August 19, 2025 Event at Dodger Stadium to Raise Funds to Support Scholarships and Mentoring Programs for Young Latinos

Gracianna Winery, a resilient award-winning Sonoma County legacy brand, is proud to be the exclusive wine partner of the Jarrín Foundation’s annual “Wine Night at the Ravine” on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

Gracianna will be providing a selection of brilliant Sonoma County wines to guests of the Jarrín Foundation’s annual event, “Wine Night at the Ravine,” at Dodger Stadium. This highly anticipated annual event unites supporters, students, industry leaders, and advocates for an unforgettable evening of food, wine, and community. The funds raised will directly support scholarships and mentoring programs, helping underserved students unlock their full potential.

The Jarrín Foundation, founded by legendary Dodgers Spanish language announcer Jaime Jarrín and his wife Blanca, holds this special event at Dodger Stadium Centerfield Plaza that features a special dinner featuring brilliant Gracianna wines in addition to a host of other entertaining proceedings including appearances by former players and coaches, video tributes, live and silent auctions, and dancing under the stars. And to top it off, special honorees of the night include former Dodger Nomar Garciaparra and team photographer Jon SooHoo.

Tickets are available at https://winenight25.funraise.org.

Since 2019, The Jarrín Foundation has awarded over $225,000+ in scholarships to post and undergraduate students. Gracianna is particularly invested in helping shape the lives of young Latinos as a dedicated scout of talent for the wine and hospitality industries in Sonoma County. Fernando Arellano, Hospitality and Wine Club Manager for Gracianna, told us:

“My family immigrated to the U.S. in 1999 in pursuit of the American dream. But as I began planning for college—with no clear way to afford it—it felt impossible. After many phone calls, letters, and interviews I was awarded a scholarship from a California-based scholarship foundation which allowed me to pursue my dream of studying biology. This in turn led me to Sonoma State University and eventually Gracianna Winery which I now call home. Through a scholarship from the Odyssey Wine Academy in Healdsburg I was able to complete my WSET 2 which has been invaluable in progressing my career.

“Partnering with the Jarrín Foundation has a special meaning to the Gracianna Winery family, since the Amador family’s own grandparents also came to America as strawberry pickers. Both the Amadors and I are where we are today precisely because of opportunities like those offered by the Foundation.”

Jasmine Herrera, Gracianna Marketing Manager, adds, “I am genuinely excited to be a part of this event. My father’s side of the family immigrated here in the 1980s from Mexico, and I’m proud to be a first-generation college graduate. My education has given me so many opportunities already. It means a lot to contribute to something that helps lift others with similar stories!”

For more information about Gracianna Winery, please visit www.gracianna.com or follow them on social media at @graciannawinery. For information on the Jarrín Foundation, please visit https://www.jarrinfoundation.org/.

ABOUT GRACIANNA WINERY

The Amador Family of Sonoma County are the owners of the resilient award-winning Gracianna Winery, a “fruit-first” craft winery on the Miracle Mile of Westside Road in Healdsburg, CA. Gracianna wines are for those with something to be grateful for.

ABOUT THE JARRÍN FOUNDATION

The Jarrín Foundation is a renowned organization dedicated to empowering young Latinos through education. With a focus on providing scholarships and mentoring programs, the foundation aims to create opportunities for underserved students to achieve their full potential.

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Important Update Regarding Road Closures and Planned Construction

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The ongoing closure of the Wohler Bridge and lower Westside Road is affecting all of us—residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

At the recent Forestville town hall, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins shared two key updates:

  1. County Public Infrastructure will be asking the Board of Supervisors to approve funding to shore up the slide on lower Westside Road at the April 15th meeting.
  2. If approved, work could begin—and potentially be completed—in “two to three months.”

While we know that’s a wishful timeline, getting this done starts with our collective support.

 Here’s how you can help:

  1. Email the Board of Supervisors to voice your support for funding the repair work on Westside Road:
    Send a short note to bos@sonoma-county.org urging them to approve the funds to restore the critical lower Westside Road access point.
  2. Attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 15 to speak during public comment:
    Show up and speak up! Your presence matters. Details and the meeting agenda (updated shortly) will be available here: https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

  ALERT: Upcoming Community Meeting in our Westside Road Neighborhood

Supervisor Hopkins also shared that her office is coordinating with Supervisor Gore’s team to host a community meeting in the Westside Road area —likely after funding is secured—to update us on the timeline and next steps. The goal: “boots on the ground and work underway.”

In the meantime, please help spread the word and share this information with neighbors, friends, and businesses that are affected.

Together, we can help get this vital road reopened—and restore access for all of us.

Trini Amador

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2024 Gracianna Thanksgiving Letter

Dear Gracianna Family,

As Thanksgiving 2024 arrives, we have been making wine since 2007, and we remain steadfastly drawn to reflect on gratitude—something more than a reaction to good fortune, but a practice that sustains us.

To be truly grateful, as our friend Bob Emmons—the ‘godfather’ of gratitude studies at UC Davis—reminds us, is to embrace gratitude as an enduring attitude, not simply a response to things going well or poorly.

The philosopher G.K. Chesterton said, “The test of all happiness is gratitude.” So at Gracianna, we find that gratitude, like a well-tended vineyard, is both an anchor and a guide.

Gratitude allows us to transcend the day-to-day hustle and reaffirms what’s important, grounding us in the present moment. This Thanksgiving, we invite you to join us in choosing gratitude not just as a pause to appreciate, but as a way of being—a way that helps each of us focus on what is within reach and within us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude can elevate our emotional well-being, making us more likely to connect with and care for others. We see this in the friendships we’ve made here in our vineyard, in the shared laughter and stories over wine, and in the moments of resilience and kindness you’ve brought to us. Gratitude, after all, brings us back to what matters: love, connection, and a deep appreciation for all that is here.

We can choose to release the weight of frustrations, anger and fear and allow our spirits to choose love and joy and be freed by the blessings we already have. The poet Brother David Steindl-Rast reminds us to “Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise—then you will discover the fullness of your life.”

As we cherish our loved ones and the experiences that bind us, we can accept the simple joys—whether it’s a warm meal shared with family or the laughter of friends. Gratitude helps us focus on what truly matters, guiding us through challenging times and reminding us that we are never alone.

We hope this season brings you that moment to breathe, remind you of the joy around you, and the comfort of knowing that gratitude can transform even the smallest aspects of daily life into little gifts that keep us bound to one another. From all of us at Gracianna, may your holiday be filled with peace, love, and countless reasons to be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Trini & Lisa and the entire Amador and Gracianna Family

And, just a small bonus to this season of gratitude—we can be thankful for no election spam in our inboxes and text messages from here on out!

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Gracianna Celebrated as a Winner in the “Fiverr x Martha Stewart, Limited Edition Gig Promotion”

Iconic Entrepreneur Lends Advice to Wine Brand Noted for Gratitude and Resilience

Gracianna Winery is pleased to announce its selection as one of the three winners, among hundreds of applicants, in the highly competitive Fiverr x Martha Stewart, Limited Edition Gig Promotion.

Martha Stewart has served as a brand ambassador for Fiverr’s 2024 Summer Product Launch by becoming a Limited Edition Pro freelancer, where she showcases her skills in Fiverr’s brand new profession based catalog. The promotion invited businesses to share their strategy, challenges, and goals for the chance to receive personalized advice from the renowned entrepreneur and lifestyle icon, Martha Stewart. As one of three winners, Gracianna Winery received a 30-minute one-on-one consultation with Martha Stewart, as well as $1,000 in Fiverr Credits to support their business endeavors.

In addition, Gracianna is honored to name Martha Stewart as an honorary member of their exclusive wine club. Her personalized, handcrafted wooden medallion will join over 1,000 others displayed proudly at the Gracianna Mercedes Riverblock estate vineyard.

“We were thrilled to be chosen to get advice from one of the most successful entrepreneurs the world has known,” said Lisa Amador, a spokesperson for Gracianna Winery. “Martha’s sense of style and attention to detail align perfectly with Gracianna’s principles of excellence and authenticity. We look forward to applying her insights to further elevate our brand and continue spreading the message of gratitude that defines us.”

“Supporting entrepreneurs as they grow and expand their business is central to the work we do,” said Matti Yahav, Chief Marketing Officer at Fiverr. “From the skilled freelancers on our platform to special campaigns with iconic business leaders like Martha Stewart, we’re thrilled to see how Gracianna Winery is thriving with support from these resources and congratulate their hard work in creating and growing their brand.”

The Gracianna team is enthusiastically activating their consultation with Martha Stewart. The winery’s involvement in the promotion highlights its consumer-led innovative approach and dedication to growth, which aligns seamlessly with the values celebrated by the promotion and Ms. Stewart.

Gracianna Winery, known for its exceptional wines and commitment to celebrating the art of gratitude, continues to inspire with its unique blend of tradition and modernity. The winery invites wine enthusiasts and entrepreneurs to join them in celebrating this achievement and to experience the elegance, warmth and gratitude that define Gracianna. 

 

ABOUT MARTHA STEWART

Martha Stewart is the founder of the first multi-channel lifestyle company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, an entrepreneur, bestselling author of 99 (to date) lifestyle books, and Emmy Award-winning television show host. Reaching more than 100 million devoted fans monthly through multimedia platforms and products for the home, sold through Martha.com and an extensive retail network, Martha is the “go-to” authority on the encompassing topic of Living and Celebrating your best life. She and her talented staff provide trusted, timely, and useful information on all aspects of everyday living: cooking, entertaining, gardening, home renovating, collecting, organizing, crafting, healthy living, holidays, weddings, and pet care, across many media formats.

ABOUT FIVERR

Fiverr’s mission is to revolutionize how the world works together. We exist to democratize access to talent and to provide talent with access to opportunities so anyone can grow their business, brand, or dreams. From small businesses to Fortune 500, over 4 million customers worldwide worked with freelance talent on Fiverr in the past year, ensuring their workforces remain flexible, adaptive, and agile. With Fiverr’s Talent Cloud, companies can easily scale their teams from a talent pool of skilled professionals from over 160 countries across more than 550 categories, ranging from programming to 3D design, digital marketing to content creation, from video animation to architecture.

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2023 Westside Reserve Pinot Noir Wins Best in Show at 2024 Sonoma County Harvest Fair

Gracianna Winery is thrilled to announce that its 2023 Westside Reserve Pinot Noir has been awarded the prestigious title of “Best in Show” for all red wines at the 2024 Sonoma County Harvest Fair wine competition, out of an extraordinary 964 entries. This accolade stands as one of the highest honors a small, family-owned winery can achieve, underscoring Gracianna’s dedication to producing world-class wines.

“We are over the moon about this achievement,” expressed Lisa Amador, co-founder and partner of Gracianna Winery. “We are humbled and proud to be recognized as producing the best red wine in Sonoma County after all these years of making world-class wines.”

 

The 2023 Westside Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is lauded for its complex flavor profile, featuring “earth tones; juicy with notes of blue fruit; ripe raspberries; very complex; and gets better in the glass!” as noted by the esteemed judges at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair wine competition.

Gracianna remains committed to creating exceptional wines that reflect gratitude and appreciation for life’s moments. “This win is a testament to our hardworking winemaking team, our resilient family, and the unwavering support from our loyal members and customers,” added Amador. “We are especially grateful to the board, staff, and volunteers at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair for their dedication and for recognizing our passion for winemaking.”

In celebration of this achievement, Gracianna is pleased to announce that the 2023 Westside Reserve Pinot Noir is now available for purchase to the public, with fewer than 40 cases remaining. Members of the Medallion Wine Club received their opportunity for reserved bottles as part of their exclusive membership benefits.

Order Details:

  • Price: $76 (plus shipping)
  • Non-Members can now buy up to one bottle of this highly limited release

“Given the limited supply, we encourage friends to act quickly if they want to enjoy this award-winning wine, as it is sure to sell out quickly,” said Amador. “Thank you for your ongoing support—we are grateful to have you as part of the Gracianna family.”

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Good News: Gratitude Making a Comeback in 2024

Americans Seeing Positive Emotional Shifts Post-Pandemic
Despite Lingering Global Uncertainty

In the third wave of the landmark longitudinal study on gratitude conducted by Eastern Washington University (EWU) and Gracianna Winery, gratitude remains the highest-rated positive emotion among Americans, showing significant recovery from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when the survey first launched.

The key finding is that despite ongoing global challenges, Americans are experiencing a resurgence in positive emotions, with gratitude once again once again emerging as the most frequent emotion reported.

Gratitude on the Rise

The study—based on survey results from over 580 American adults—reveals that gratitude, which had seen a decline during the height of the pandemic, is now on an upward trajectory. Positive emotions, including happiness and joy, have also increased, suggesting a brighter emotional outlook for many Americans, particularly with younger cohorts. The data shows that negative emotions, including worry, have been consistently decreasing since the spring of 2021, indicating a general improvement in overall emotional well-being.

Current Emotional Landscape

Respondents in 2024 report feeling significantly more positive emotions than in previous years. Gratitude continues to strongly correlate with happiness, highlighting its vital role in fostering a positive emotional state—over 50% of respondents indicated that they experience gratitude “quite a bit” or “extremely.”

Interestingly, while gratitude remains a powerful contributor to happiness, the study suggests that a growing sense of hopefulness is also playing a significant role in emotional health. Researchers will monitor this finding to determine if this is a stable or growing emotion.

Personal Development and Compassion

The study also shines a light on some reassuring trends in personal growth and compassion. Respondents share that they feel more compassionate towards others, putting more effort into their close relationships, and a willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. Additionally, many individuals recognize their own strength and resilience, and are discovering what truly matters in their lives

Coping with Global Challenges

In the face of ongoing global issues, Americans report that they are relying on various coping mechanisms to help them deal with these stressors. Active coping through friends and relatives remains the highest, followed by gratitude and avoidance of negative news. While empathy for others is high, self-compassion remains relatively low, which suggests that people are relying on other-focused rather than self-focused coping. However, the study suggests that as people become more grateful, their happiness and outlook on the future improve.

Looking Forward

Respondents generally anticipate feeling more positive emotions than negative ones in the coming months. When asked about their emotional outlook for the next 2-3 months, two-thirds expect to feel happy and over 60% anticipate feeling grateful and thankful. Americans are maintaining a hopeful outlook and using gratitude as a tool for resilience and personal growth.

Lisa Amador of Gracianna, reflects: “We are encouraged to see gratitude making such a strong comeback. It’s a powerful force for instilling optimism and resilience as we navigate the complexities of our world.

Philip Watkins of EWU adds, “The resurgence of gratitude signifies a positive shift in our collective emotional health. As we move forward, it’s crucial to continue fostering gratitude and hope, which are essential for our well-being and societal harmony.”

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Gracianna Earns Seven Medals at Prestigious 2024 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

On January 16, 2024, the news came that Gracianna had won medals for every wine entered in the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest North American wine competition with over 5,500 entries representing nearly 1,000 wineries.

The Gracianna winners are:

  • 2022 Westside Reserve Pinot Noir – Double Gold
  • 2021 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Gold
  • 2021 Sadie’s Share Malbec – Gold
  • 2022 Mercedes Riverblock Estate Pinot Noir – Gold
  • 2022 Lasaga Estate Pinot Noir – Gold
  • 2022 Pinot Noir – Bacigalupi Vineyard – Silver
  • 2022 Zinfandel – Bacigalupi Vineyard – Silver

Gracianna congratulates the winemaking team and all others involved in bringing these wonderful accolades home and as always are grateful for the support of our members and fans.

     

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Sip, Share, and Celebrate: Gracianna Winery’s “Grateful Gathering” Virtual Tasting offers a Toast to Team Unity and Employee Appreciation

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Gracianna Winery is breaking barriers and fostering connection through its innovative “Grateful Gathering” Virtual Tasting program. This unique program brings teams and clients together from all over the US, placing a spotlight on the importance of team unity, and celebrating collective successes, all in an engaging, fun, educational and stress-free environment.

Harnessing the beloved qualities of Sonoma County’s wine country, the “Grateful Gathering” beckons remote teams and clients to sip, share, and celebrate while delving into the exquisite flavors of four award-winning Gracianna Russian River Valley wines. This experience is a hassle-free way to enhance the wine palette while sparking work team engagement. Fernando Arellano, Gracianna’s expert Hospitality Manager, ensures a seamless experience with each thoughtfully curated tasting kit arriving in secure packaging to all participants, guaranteeing a fun-filled experience for all involved.

Recognizing the critical need for authentic connections in today’s corporate landscape, Lisa Amador, co-founder of Gracianna Winery, emphasizes the significance of meaningful engagements. “Our ‘Grateful Gathering’ online wine tasting directly addresses the imperative for teams to unite across distances, celebrating shared achievements,” says Amador. “Through easy-to-use virtual technology, we offer an immersive Sonoma County wine tasting experience that not only fosters stronger team relationships but also cultivates satisfaction among clients, partners and employees alike.”

Thoughtfully crafted to facilitate engagement and collaboration in the workplace, this program allows teams to convene in a relaxing sixty-minute wine-tasting session. It serves as a platform to commemorate milestones, as a well-deserved reward for your teams or to showcase important clients or partners.

Kerry Huffman, VP of Client Services at Labrador Systems, Inc., praises the impact of the “Grateful Gathering,” affirming its success in enhancing client satisfaction. “Our investment in Gracianna’s “Grateful Gatherings” has yielded substantial returns. We’re excited to extend this program to honor and appreciate our team members.”

Not limited to businesses, families and friends are encouraged to seize the opportunity offered by this program, utilizing it to commemorate important events, holidays, or impromptu gatherings for groups of eight or more; with the magic of the lauded Gracianna tasting room brought to the comfort of home.

Gracianna offers a complete turn-key program and has streamlined organization, billing, and shipping, making it straightforward for hosts. Each tasting kit comprises four award-winning Gracianna Russian River Valley wines in 50ml (2 oz.) glass bottles – including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Priced at $75 per kit (which includes secure shipping almost anywhere in the US,) it encompasses an hour-long meticulously produced virtual tasting guided by Gracianna’s brand ambassadors. Businesses or individuals keen on hosting a Grateful Gathering virtual tasting can easily do so by visiting Gracianna Winery’s website.

Earning accolades not just in wine competitions but also in hospitality, Gracianna has recently received the 2023 Travelers’ Choice Award as a global top 10% destination from TripAdvisor and maintains a stellar five-star rating on Yelp among 3,600 wineries in California. This is a testament to Gracianna’s unwavering commitment to excellence in both wine and hospitality.

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