A Tragic History

In 1993, an engaged couple solidified their commitment by carving their names, "Tom & Karen 1993," into the concrete of their Napa Valley winery. Just two weeks later, the couple's lives were shattered when Tom Collins was killed by his own father in a murder-suicide. Tom’s brother, Michael, later described the event as occurring in a "fit of rage."

For Karen DeGolia, who had been working alongside her fiance at the time, the loss was devastating. "I felt that I had this beautiful movie playing, then someone took the scissors and cut the film, and all of a sudden, the screen went white," she recalled. She spent years attempting to move past the trauma.

A Journey Back to the Vineyard

Following the tragedy, the winery passed through different hands. Michael Collins sold the property in 2012 while battling cancer, and it was eventually purchased by fifth-generation winemaker Jake Bilbro. DeGolia had previously attempted to partner with Michael in 2004 to learn the business, though she ultimately decided it was not the right fit at that time. Instead, she purchased the neighboring Ricci Vineyard and managed it while working in Silicon Valley.

Over the years, DeGolia maintained a professional relationship with Bilbro. When the opportunity arose to purchase her original winery, she expressed interest, though the property was initially under an exclusive contract. When that deal fell through due to requested changes, Bilbro offered the property to DeGolia. "He said, 'Karen, I haven’t slept for weeks because this should be yours. I think my role for the last 10 years has been keeping it until you’re ready to come back,'" she shared.

The Future of the Winery

DeGolia acknowledges that the timing of the purchase is challenging, as the wine industry faces an economic downturn. She is currently working hard to maintain the property, utilizing her background in marketing to drive growth. Her strategy includes offering venue rentals for small events and overnight stays.

The property features a unique wine-bottle-shaped pool and fields of Zinfandel vines. DeGolia’s goal is to move beyond simple tastings and provide visitors with a deeper, more immersive experience. "When people leave here," she said, "we want them to feel like they got to experience it, not that they were just a visitor."