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Omega Road Winery
LIVERMORE VALLEY
Before opening Omega Road Winery, Ken Henkelman worked in the wine
industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s at Robert Mondavi and Chateau
Montelena. He had a degree and got a job in the industry, but Ken's life took
a different direction and he walked away from winemaking for many years.
Around 2007, he returned to what he loves to do and began making wine in
his garage. But it wasn't until his daughter Alexandra returned home from
college and joined in her father's passion that the business brainstorming
began. They started taking classes together at Las Positas College while
continuing to make wine at home. Quickly, they developed a shared love of
the craft of winemaking, and started making wine under the label Omega
Road Winery with one premise: great wine should bring people together.
Early on, Ken and Alexandra were working out of a small shop in San Ramon
on Omega Road, and although they outgrew the space, they kept the name.
It's an homage to where they began and keeps them connected to their roots.
The winery was officially established in 2011 in the picturesque Livermore
Valley, but the tasting room was opened in 2017.
Ken and Alexandra continue to partner daily in the winemaking, with
Alexandra also handling events and marketing management. Ken's wife and
Alexandra's mom Nicky, also helps run the business. Omega Road offers
Torrontes, Verdelho, and Nero d'Avola. Plus, the team produces Viognier, Petit
Verdot, Syrah, and more, with most of the grapes sourced from Livermore
Valley and a few upcoming varietals from other areas of Northern California.
FACING PAGE: Omega Road Winery is a family business run
by dad Ken, daughter Alexandra, and mom Nicky.
ABOVE At Omega Road, we are always ready to open and
share a
bottle and glass of wine.
Photographs by Ron Essex
LIVERMORE VALLEY
