Over the past 10 years, Vino Godfather Winery has become a fixture on Mare Island in Vallejo. It has survived the pandemic, competition in the nearby Napa and Sonoma counties and a recent transfer of ownership.
Now it is looking toward the future and uniting as a family.
The winery also doubles as an entertainment venue, with outdoor performances and events put on in large part by Frazier Trager Presents. Throughout the years, the level of performance has grown, as have the crowds.
“To be as blessed and successful as we are, and to be here 10 years is absolutely amazing,” said Frank Kennedy Jr., who took over ownership of Vino Godfather Winery one year ago after the death of his father, Frank Kennedy, who founded the winery.
“Being thrust into ownership and, you know, taking over control of the business for a year has been a roller coaster to say the least,” he said. However, Kennedy has always been involved with the winery in one way or another and says he’s up for the challenge.
Part of that challenge is in the entertainment, hoping to continue to attract new and returning guests to the winery.
Since first opening, Vino Godfather Winery has worked with Frazier Trager Presents to host musical performances at the winery. For the past five years, they have been trusted with selecting the winery’s entertainment, largely independently, says Jeff Trager.
“We’ve always had this great trust with each other,” says Trager.
Over time, they began bringing in high levels of performing artists. Ten years in, Trager is proud of the artists that they have brought to the winery and the audience it has attracted from and outside of Vallejo.
One group in particular, led by guitarist Stef Burns, has consistently brought in a large audience over the past five years. Each year the group is different, with Burns bringing in different artist friends together for the performance.
“He’s brought in guys from Journey, guys from Santana, guys from Night Ranger, David Sikes from Boston,” Trager said. Last year the group attracted 700 people to the winery. He returns to the winery on Aug. 24.
Although the bigger name performers at Vino Godfather’s are notable, Kennedy says their regular local performing groups have become akin to family. Soul’d Out and Papa Joe and the New Deal stand out to Kennedy in particular.
“They’re just literally a part of our family,” he says.
While they remain focused on the future, the past on Mare Island is just as important. The winery previously served as a U.S. Navy Admiral’s Mansion and was built in the early 20th century. It is like “stepping into a time warp,” says Kennedy.
Patrons have also donated historical items such as captain’s jackets and photographs that are displayed on the walls at the winery. “We put it up to not only represent the people that have been in the mansion, but to represent our patrons, our family,” he says.
The location, the experience and the performances are all special at Vino Godfather Winery, says Kennedy.
“Where else can you go in the North Bay Area from one o’clock to four, sometimes five, and just thoroughly enjoy yourself to the fullest?” he asks.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the winery on Mare Island, Vino Godfather’s is hosting three upcoming events — a Festa Italiana Dinner, A Lobster Boil and a Paella Party. All the events are marked as Wine Club Member exclusives, but Kennedy says that they will be doing a “member for a day” deal so non-members will be able to attend as well.
Ten years since the opening of the winery, Kennedy says he thinks a lot about legacy. The legacy of his father, the community that he built at Vino Godfather’s and about the future.
“New face, same name,” he says.
Originally Published:
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