A passion for independence and an ardent commitment to follow the heart provide the insipation behind Christie wines. The vineyard takes it’s name from proprietor Steve Christie Aitken’s Great Grandfather – John Christie Aitken – a rebel union leader in Scottland; and from Grandfather John Christie Aitken Jr., a bootlegger in Marin county during the prohibition years.
Against the wishes of the British monarchy, John Sr. led the movement to unionize his fellow railroad workers. During a movement to rid the country of dissidents, John was shanghaied! Taken through a trap door in a local pub, he was conscripted into the royal navy, and managed to jump ship in Oregon in 1893. Once there he temporarily changed his name to “Blackie” to avoid recapture. Upon the death of the queen, John recieved an automatic pardon and returned to his family name.
Steve brings the same free spirit and straightforward, hard-working attitude to winemaking that his ancestors brought to their endeavors.
A mechanic by trade, Steve Aitken started an automotive repair shop in Novato at age 18, which flourished in his hands for 30 years. Steves love for agriculture led to the aquisition of the beautiful parcel of Dry Creek Valley land in 1981, which became the first half of Christie Vineyards. Still immersed in his bussiness Steve had been a weekend farmer for 17 years before taking his first home winemaking course. Excited by the results of his first “estate” barrel he became serious about viticulture. He soon found himself taking evening classes at SRJC and learning in the laboratory of his own vineyard on weekends. In 1997 he purchased the Russian River Valley property which would eventually house the winery and become the second half of Christie Vineyards.
After his son Jack was born in 2001, Steve sold the auto repair bussiness to immerse himself fulltime into farming and winemaking. This intense hands-on involement in all aspects of growing and producing his wines is reflected in the exceptional quality of Christie wines.