About Paul Biane & The Biane Family
A true vintner carries the love of wine with them throughout their entire life. It is as if wine flows through their veins. But the interest, dedication, and ability to make fine wine requires years of learning and experience, sampling, and testing. For me, wine was a family heritage. As far as I can remember, I recall walking through the vineyards with my father, Pierre, his brother Michael, and my grandfather, Philo. It was then, working in the fields and the winery as a young man, that I began my lifelong passion for wine.
My family’s heritage in America dates back to 1832, when the first members of my family arrived with other Frenchmen seeking relief from Napoleon’s wars. Theophile Vaché and his three nephews, Adolphe, Emile, and Theophile II, came to the Monterey area and planted vineyards. Ultimately, they decided their fortunes lay in the Southland. The nephews brought their vines to the banks of small rivers in the San Gabriel and Cucamonga Valleys.
In 1892 my great-grandfather, Marius Biane, arrived from France and was hired to work for the Vaché family. In the Vaché enterprise, he discovered a vineyard awaiting his energy and enthusiasm. He later married Marceline, Adolphe Vaché’s daughter, and together they extended the “Brookside” vineyards throughout the Cucamonga Valley while raising two sons, my grandfather, Philo, and my great-uncle Francois.
Philo had two sons, my father, Pierre, and my uncle Michael, and together with François and his son, René Biane, they continued to build the Brookside brand. In the late 1970s, Pierre purchased the old Vai Brothers winery, known as the Cucamonga Vineyard Company, Bonded Winery #1 and the Padre Vineyard Company. The winery operated under the Pierre Biane Winery name through the 1970s and 80s.
We continue to make wine under the Biane name. My ancestors’ legacy makes the Biane family one of the oldest continuous winemaking families in California.
Today, my family’s home is the Biane Winery, located on the property of the former Pierre Biane Winery, one of the oldest-standing California wineries. The deep stone walls shelter our wine production and cellar activities. I look forward to passing on this beautiful heritage to my children, Bella Biane and Philo Biane, the seventh generation of our family, to be associated with this great industry.
However, wine is more than just history; it is a way of life. It brings pleasure and joy. I encourage you to explore the wide range of high-quality wines from our winery with both your mind and palate. I believe you will agree with me that a fine wine is one of life’s great pleasures.
Please visit us for wine tastings at the winery in Rancho Cucamonga, with views of the slopes of Southern California’s glorious San Gabriel Mountains, the birthplace California’s wine industry.
The Biane Family purchased the winery property from Dr. Pepper Beverage Company in 1975, almost 50 years ago.
Prior to that, the winery property was owned by the Vai Brothers from the 1920s through Prohibition and afterward.
The winery was famous for being able to operate during prohibition, selling alcoholic elixirs through pharmacy prescription.
The property was a favorite of the Hollywood elite.
While other wineries struggled during the period, this winery thrived under the direction of the Vai brothers.
In the 1960s, large Wall Street public companies moved to acquire businesses in the alcohol industry. Some were successful at taking on new businesses, and some struggled.
This is where Pierre Biane and his family saw an opportunity; they purchased the winery in 1975 and ran it until 1988. The wine industry was changing in the Cucamonga Valley, and most wineries were struggling. The family decided that there was a better real estate opportunity with this property, so they decided to transform the winery into a business park.
In the 1990s, Paul and his brother, Jean-Pierre (JP) Biane, planted grapes on every extra inch of ground and worked with the Fillippi Brothers to start making wine again.
Today, Paul Biane is opening the winery to the public to enjoy once again.
Cheers.
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