HEALDSBURG -- "2013 to 2014 marked a big year for Rack & Riddle," said Rebecca Faust, co-owner with Bruce Lundquist. "Together, the team's efforts allowed Rack & Riddle to seamlessly transition from its original winery and custom-crush facility based in Hopland as part of a major expansion to two new facilities in the heart of Sonoma County wine country -- over a span of just nine months."
Founded in 2007, the producer of more than 150 client brands and maker of its own wines had revenue growth of 43 percent in the past two years. Just before this harvest, Rack & Riddle finished its move from Hopland to Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, nearly doubling the size of its facilities from 125,000 square feet in Mendocino County in the process.
The company now has 65 employees.
"Our employees are the fuel that powers the R&R engine," said Bruce Lundquist, the other owner and co-founder.
The accessibility of the owners to employees at various levels impressed a number of workers.
"I've never encountered anything like it at the other five or so companies I've worked at since graduating college," one said. "I love how all our voices are heard -- and matter -- and there are real opportunities to learn every aspect of the winemaking industry, from sales and marketing to production and planning, to grape sourcing and winemaking. We get opportunities to try on different hats and the freedom to focus on where we find our talents truly lie."
Several employees noted the company's openness to not only family emergencies but also opening job opportunities to them.
"They allow family members to work on a part-time basis," one said.
Philanthropic pursuits have included Lifehouse, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Hopland Fire Protection District, Rack & Riddle's Breathless Wines benefit brand for Sutter Pacific Women's Health Center, Alpha-1 Association, Merola Opera Program, One Brick volunteer group, Gay Wine Weekend for AIDS fundraising, Art of Dessert, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Worth Our Weight, Sonoma Lavender Festival, Women for Winesense, WHAM Memorial Foundation, Impact100 foundation and Women, Wine and Cheese benefit for YWCA's abused-women program.
