CMB Family of Wines
The Story
CMB Family of Wines owner and president Courtney Benham, a California native raised on his family’s farm in Bakersfield, developed a deep connection to agriculture early on. Beginning his career in wine 40 years ago, he has earned a reputation for honoring tradition while revitalizing storied wineries, as he did with Martin Ray. His commitment to land stewardship, sustainable farming, and heritage preservation is complemented by his passion for producing wines of extraordinary character, quality and value.
Our Timeline
CMB Family of Wines is a family-owned portfolio of premium California wine brands based at Martin Ray in the Russian River Valley. Our family includes Martin Ray, Angeline, Synthesis, Courtney Benham, Foppiano, and Vina Robles. We revitalize legacy wineries and craft site-driven wines from California’s most respected appellations, guided by quality, sustainability, and a family-first philosophy.
-
1896Foppiano Winery founded
Foppiano Winery founded by Italian immigrant Giovanni Foppiano in Sonoma County, establishing one of the region’s oldest continuously operated, family-founded wineries.
-
Early 1900sFoppiano grows
Foppiano grows as a bulk wine supplier, becoming deeply rooted in Sonoma County agriculture.
-
Prohibition Era (1920–1933)Foppiano survives Prohibition
Foppiano survives Prohibition by selling home winemaking kits—an early hallmark of resilience and reinvention.
-
1930sThe Foppiano family
The Foppiano family becomes among the first in the region to bottle wine under its own label, helping shape Sonoma’s premium future.
-
1943Martin Ray Winery, founded
Martin Ray Winery, founded by pioneering winemaker Martin Ray, in Saratoga, CA – developing a site that would become one of California’s most historical properties – Mount Eden.
-
1950’s – 1960’sBurgundian Approach
Mentored by Paul Masson, Martin Ray takes a Burgundian approach to winemaking, dedicated to crafting single varietal, region specific wines.
-
1990A defining turning point
A defining turning point: Courtney Benham discovers 1,500 forgotten cases of Martin Ray in a San Jose warehouse, inspiring a mission to steward and revive the legacy.
-
1990Angeline founded
Angeline founded by Courtney Benham in Sonoma County, built on a simple principle: unadulterated, uncompromising varietal expression.
-
1997Synthesis begins
Synthesis begins with the vision of creating a flagship blend each vintage, crafted by selecting and blending the best barrels to capture harmony across great terroirs.
-
1998Vina Robles founded
Vina Robles founded by Swiss entrepreneur Hans Nef in Paso Robles, becoming a defining force for the region with bold, expressive Central Coast wines and a strong connection to wine-and-music culture.
-
2003Martin Ray’s modern home established
Martin Ray’s modern home is established on a historic 12-acre estate on Laguna Ridge in the Russian River Valley, anchoring what would become the heart of the CMB portfolio.
-
2024CMB Family of Wines acquires Foppiano
CMB Family of Wines acquires Foppiano after 128 years of family ownership, including the historic winery, brand, inventory, and 130 acres of estate vineyards—bringing one of Sonoma’s foundational legacy wineries into a new era under CMB stewardship.
-
2024CMB Family of Wines acquires Foppiano
CMB Family of Wines acquires Vina Robles (trademark, inventory, barrels, and IP), prioritizing continuity of its Paso Robles identity and cultural ties.
-
TodayCMB Family of Wines
CMB Family of Wines, headquartered at Martin Ray in Santa Rosa, unites a portfolio that spans Sonoma, Napa, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Paso Robles—revitalizing legacy brands while investing in quality, sustainability, and a family-first future.
CMB Team
Courtney Benham
Farm-raised in Bakersfield, Courtney Benham became a wine entrepreneur—building Blackstone, acquiring Martin Ray in 1990, modernizing a Russian River winery, and pursuing sustainable, terroir-driven varietal wines.
Raemy Paterson
Raemy Paterson, a UC Davis graduate who also holds an MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State brings global harvest experience crafting minimalist, terroir-driven wines from diverse appellations across California.
Leslie Renaud
Leslie Renaud, Director of Winemaking at CMB, harmoniously blends science and art. With a diverse background and a love of Burgundian varietals, Leslie oversees production across all CMB brands.
Bill Bachelor
Bill Batchelor, Martin Ray General Manager since 2003, blends boutique-to-large winery experience with a collaborative mindset, building strong teams across winemaking, vineyards, marketing, and business.