MEGAN STRANIK- Megan was first introduced to the world of winemaking at Sonoita Vineyard. Sonoita is the original Sonoita-area vineyard, and was founded in 1983. She spent a year as a volunteer, helping tend the farm. Working outdoors to grow the plants became what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, and opening her own winery quickly became part of that desire.

For many years, she worked at various wineries around the area, learning more and more about the entire process of winemaking: planting, weeding, racking, lab work, fixing flaws, stabilization, bottling, filtration, label approvals, inventory tracking, tasting room work — everything, from beginning to end. A year before Hops & Vines’ debut, she lived with her sister Shannon and her three children. In addition to the adults, there was their six kids, 5 turtles, 6 dogs, 10 chickens, and a lot of crazy ideas – not least of which: Let’s make a winery.

Her three kids have been wonderful helping around the farm, and she loves working with her sister, co-owner Shannon. She has never killed or been bitten by a snake, despite many run-ins with them while creating and tending the fields. When you visit Hops & Vines, she will almost certainly be found outside tending the farm, but is always happy to chat with guests about her wonderful, crazy, and “impossible” little winery.

SHANNON ZOUZOULAS - Shannon and her three kids spent a wild summer living with Megan and her kids before Hops & Vines became a serious venture into the world of family farms and winemaking. On their road trip back, the conversations often turned to whether or not the family should move from their home in Washington, D.C. permanently to help make Hops & Vines a reality. On the way, they stopped at the St. Louis City Museum. In addition to being an extraordinarily fun place to visit, a particular quote caught Shannon’s eye:

“"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.” – Jack Kerouac

Moments later, she was on the phone with Megan, and the decision was made: Shannon’s family was moving to Sonoita, Arizona, and making a farm. The kids have joined in enthusiastically, and have helped Megan’s kids set up the Sober Shack.