Badger-backing Hamel family finds a niche in California wine country

When Pamela and George Hamel Jr. purchased their home in Sonoma, California, it happened to include an acre of wine grapes planted. Making wine seemed like fun, but not necessarily a business.

Fast-forward more than a decade and Hamel Family Wines has become the family business. They now operate four vineyards, and their sons, John and George III, are involved in expanding the winery.    

Much of that growth connects them to Wisconsin, where several generations of the Hamel family have attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They are true Badger backers: They have season tickets for football and basketball, and their donations helped fund UW-Madison’s Hamel Music Center, which opened in 2019....
   ...more

Ken Notes: I see a Wisconsin product in there future, they need a distillery, winery or global warming inspired vineyard in the state...