Lisa Howard is a second-generation farmer, self-taught winemaker, and co-founder of Tolenas Winery in Suisun Valley, California. After earning a degree in agricultural engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and working in water resource management, Lisa returned to her hometown with her husband, Cliff, to start a winery rooted in her family’s farming legacy. Drawing from her childhood on the Tenbrink family farm, Lisa combines a deep respect for the land with a fearless, hands-on approach to winemaking. Her commitment to sustainability and innovation has earned accolades for Tolenas wines, including the award-winning Eclipse, a white Pinot Noir that exemplifies her bold, boundary-pushing style.
Beyond winemaking, Lisa is an active leader in her community and industry. She serves on multiple advisory boards and committees, championing local agriculture, groundwater sustainability, and marketing for Suisun Valley growers. A strong advocate for women in STEM, she also mentors youth through 4-H and Cal Poly’s Industry Advisory Council. Lisa’s dedication to her land, her family, and her craft makes her a standout voice in California’s next generation of winemakers. Media Inquiries: lisa@tolenaswinery.com | https://www.tolenaswinery.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
At Tolenas Winery, our brand is rooted in place and purpose – we are a family-run, second-generation winery located in the heart of Suisun Valley, where farming is a way of life, not a marketing tagline. What makes our story unforgettable is the true grit of how it all began: my parents, first-generation farmers, carved a vineyard and farm from raw land with nothing but sweat, vision, and a few used tractors. They bet everything on a belief that Suisun Valley had the potential to be great – and they were right.
Now, I’ve taken that legacy and blended it with my own identity as a female winemaker, mother, and storyteller. I left an engineering career in Phoenix Arizona and returned to the dirt, literally and figuratively, to build a brand that reflects who we are: approachable, resilient, and proudly unconventional. Tolenas isn’t about pretense – it’s about people. You’ll likely meet me or my husband when you visit. Our kids are often outside chasing lizards or helping during harvest. That blend of generational farming, hands-on winemaking, and authentic hospitality – that’s our brand.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
If I could dream without limits, I’d build a destination winery and working farm school – a place where people come not only to sip great wine but to understand where their wine comes from, who grows it, and why that matters. I’d create immersive wine education programs, hands-on harvest experiences, and space for food and wine events that celebrate local agriculture.
I’d also launch a mentorship and incubation program for women in wine – offering support, facilities, and community for the next generation of female winemakers and vineyard managers. And finally, I’d invest in preserving and promoting Suisun Valley as a hidden gem of California wine, with world-class storytelling, branding, and access that competes with the best.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Our Eclipse White Pinot Noir may not be the boldest or most opulent wine in our portfolio – but it is, without question, the wine I’m most proud of. It captures everything Tolenas stands for: creativity, authenticity, and a willingness to push boundaries in a way that still feels grounded and approachable.
Crafted as a still white wine from red-skinned Pinot Noir grapes, Eclipse is made by gently pressing the fruit and fermenting the juice without skin contact. The result is a crisp, expressive wine that surprises people – in the best way. It’s bright and elegant with layers of citrus, stone fruit, and a subtle almond-like finish.
When I first made it, it felt a bit rebellious – taking a classic grape and flipping expectations. At the time, White Pinot Noir was virtually unheard of, and it definitely raised some eyebrows. But people embraced it. That acceptance – and even celebration – of something unexpected affirmed that innovation has a place in tradition. So while Eclipse might not be my biggest “wow” wine on paper, it’s the one that speaks loudest to who I am as a winemaker and why I do this work. It’s proof that being a little ahead of the curve, and staying true to your instincts, can lead to something truly special. Read my review of the Eclipse White Pinot Noir here.
Bonus: What are your wholehearted convictions related to the wine business?
I believe the wine industry needs to get back to its roots – literally and figuratively. At its core, wine is agriculture. It’s not just about luxury bottles or scores; it’s about soil, climate, community, and the people who steward the land. Too often, marketing eclipses authenticity, and the focus shifts from purpose to polish. People are forgetting that wine is an agricultural product!
I believe in elevating real stories: stories of family farms, multi-generational commitment, and women stepping into leadership roles in an industry still dominated by tradition. I believe in building community, not competition. I left the corporate world to be a wine maker and farmer to spend more time with my family, the wine world needs to be reminded, this longing for connection and family, and time together is pulling at the world right now.
And perhaps most of all, I believe wine should be welcoming. That means meeting people where they are—offering experiences that are family-friendly, pet-friendly, casual, and comfortable. Wine doesn’t have to come with rules or intimidation. It should be flexible, joyful, and open to everyone who wants to be part of the experience. And making wine casual and comfortable doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. At Tolenas, quality is foundational. We believe everyone who seeks out thoughtfully made, high-integrity wine should feel welcome the moment they walk through our door.