Family Founded, Owned and Operated

Starting in 1989, in a 2 car garage, this daughter and father duo now produce over 12 styles of award winning wines at 2 production facilities in the Sierras.

A father and daughter operate a small home winemaking pressing machine with a large wooden barrel outdoors, with a sign reading 'Truckee River Winery' in the background, in a backyard with trees and houses.
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Meet the Winemakers

  • A smiling woman taking a selfie in a vineyard on a sunny day, wearing sunglasses, a beige cap, and a blue shirt.

    Katy Carroll Jones

    Katy Carroll Jones: Crafting White and Rosé at Truckee River Winery

    Born and raised in Truckee, California, Katy Carroll Jones, daughter of Russ Jones, embodies the spirit of her mountain home. An accomplished skier, she transitioned from downhill to competitive cross-country and biathlon, reflecting her enduring passion for the outdoors. A graduate of Truckee High School, she continued her education at Gonzaga University.

    Her connection to Truckee runs deep, extending beyond her love for the slopes. While working as a server at Gar Woods, she met her husband, then the chef, and together they built a life in Truckee, sharing their home with two beloved dogs. Today, she continues to embrace the region's recreational offerings, indulging in family skiing adventures and exploring the rugged terrain through overlanding and rock crawling in their Jeep Rubicon.

    Katy's journey with Truckee River Winery is a lifelong narrative. Literally raised within the winery's embrace, she has contributed to every facet of the business for three decades. Her formal career with the winery began in 2009, coinciding with the opening of the "Ranch" on Brockway Road, where she served as one of the inaugural tasting room associates. Over the years, her responsibilities expanded, leading her to roles as Director of Sales and Marketing, bookkeeper, Event Coordinator, and Wine Club Manager, among others.

    In 2015, she ascended to General Manager, and in 2017, she became the White Winemaker and part owner. Her passion lies in crafting the winery's white wines, and she has significantly enhanced the white wine program. Notably, her rosé varietals are a source of immense pride, and her Orange Barn Ramato stands out as a delightful and approachable wine for all palates.

  • A man standing in a vineyard, holding a vine while smiling at the camera. The vineyard has rows of grapevines supported by stakes and wires, with a background of trees and a clear sky.

    Russ Jones

    Russ Jones: Founder and Head Winemaker, Crafting Tahoe's Terroir

    Russ Jones's connection to the mountains began in Yosemite National Park, where he spent his formative years before his family relocated to Squaw Valley. It was in these iconic settings that his passion for skiing blossomed, transitioning from recreational slopes in Yosemite to competitive racing in Squaw Valley. His high school years were defined by his dedication to racing, a pursuit shared with his future wife, where he consistently excelled.

    Driven by a deep interest in the vine, Russ pursued and earned a degree in Enology and Viticulture from UC Davis. Following graduation, he and his wife embarked on a journey through the esteemed wine regions of Oregon, Washington, and Paso Robles, honing his skills and mastering the intricacies of Pinot Noir production.

    Returning to Truckee to establish their family, Russ embarked on a new venture: Truckee River Winery. Recognizing the unique climate of the Tahoe region, he sought to harness its natural temperature variations and humidity to create wines with a distinctive character. His approach blends artistic intuition with scientific precision, ensuring that every aspect of the winemaking process is optimized. This harmonious fusion of art and science results in wines of exceptional flavor and aroma, reflecting the singular terroir of Truckee River Winery.

Our History

It all started in at the Highest, Coldest and Snowiest town in America.

1989

A WINERY IS BORN!

Beginning in a 2 car garage in Sierra Meadows, a winery begins to produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir!

A woman sitting on a barrel holding a glass of wine, smiling, and a man sitting on a stool conversing with her. They are in a wine cellar surrounded by barrels and winemaking equipment.
A man appears to be crushing grapes with a wooden press in a wine-making setup, inside a wood-paneled room with various tools and a child's bicycle nearby.
A man with glasses and a graphic t-shirt is operating a large outdoor food grinder or meat chopper, with dark soil or ground meat on a white table, next to a rusty wooden shed with a small window, surrounded by trees in a rural setting.
Person harvesting grapes in a vineyard on a sunny day, with a white house in the background.

1996

The Winery moves to the Red Barn!

The Jones family and TRW move to the River and expand the winery into the Red Barn!

A rural scene with a red barn, white fence, gravel driveway, and greenery including trees and bushes on a sunny day.
Group of people gathered around a tank, with a young girl sprinkling snow on the pressed grapes, in a blessing.
Two men in a workshop operating machinery. One man with glasses and a plaid shirt is adjusting a machine, while another with a baseball cap and light-colored shirt is next to him. Background shows barrels or casks and woodworking tools.
A red barn covered in snow with a staircase on the side, surrounded by snow-covered trees.
Two women and a man standing in a large white container filled with grapes, outdoors with greenery. The women are barefoot and stomping on the grapes. The man is wearing a cap and sunglasses and watching on the side.
A young girl and an adult man putting bottles on a wine bottle filler.
A man smiling and holding a glass of red wine in a winery or wine cellar, standing next to a large wine press with wooden and metal components, and barrels in the background.

2009

The Ranch at Brockway Opens

Expanded to an offsite tasting room with bocce courts.

A small red building with a brown roof and an illuminated 'OPEN' sign on it, situated within a landscaped outdoor area with green grass, mulch, a patio with tables and chairs, a large umbrella, and a fenced-in swimming pool in the background, surrounded by tall pine trees.
Two dogs outdoors, one sitting on a barrel labeled 'Truckee WINE' and the other sitting on the ground beside a large rock, with trees and sunlight in the background.
Four children and one adult inside a room, with three children standing outside a small white fenced area, and one adult holding a glass of wine, smiling, near a window, with a stone wall and wooden paneling in the background.
Group of five people smiling and holding wine glasses in front of pine trees, under a sign that says 'Trucker River Winery'.
A snow-covered outdoor bocce court with a wooden border, surrounded by trees and park benches, in winter.
Two people, a man and a woman, standing outside a building with an „OPEN“ sign, with the woman standing in a tub of fake blood and wearing gloves.
A top-down view of a building with a brown roof and surrounding outdoor seating, tables, and umbrellas, set in a green, wooded area with hills in the background.

2018

Truckee River Winery begins a Wine Club

Our Wine Club begins and our events, discounts and members thrive!

Learn more
Inside a cozy wine cellar restaurant with barrels, tables set with glasses and bowls, and string lights hanging from the ceiling.
A woman with blonde hair smiling while reaching for a wine bottle in a room with wine bottles on a table and large wine barrels stacked in the background.
Three bottles of wine lying in a grassy field with pink flowers scattered around.
Display of wine bottles arranged on a wooden table, with red and white wine labels, some with floral and human face illustrations, and a bunch of grapes in front, with wine barrels and a red bow in the background.
A long table covered with a pink and black tablecloth displaying numerous black gift bags with orange caps, containing bottles of wine, inside a room with shelves of wine bottles and a white door in the background.
A cozy indoor space decorated for Christmas with garlands, ornaments, and barrels, featuring a seating area with a wicker sectional sofa, small tables, and a table with bottles, in a room with white wooden walls and a concrete floor.
Outdoor patio with colorful plants, tables, and chairs, people gathered near a red barn-style building, sunny day with clear blue sky, string lights overhead.

2020

The Ranch Closes and Tasting Experiences begin at the Red Barn

After 10 amazing years, the ranch closes its doors…and For the first time in the Winery's history, tours and tastings are offered at the Barn, showcasing our production facility and mini-farm. Click on the picture to book your tour and tasting today!

Book A Tasting
Group of six people standing outdoors in winter, posing for a photo. They are dressed warmly, with some wearing grey jackets. A dog is lying on the snow-covered ground in front of them. Behind them is a sign for Truckee River Winery and a banner that says 'Last Call Tasting Room Closing.' There are trees and snow in the background.
Group of five people and a dog standing outside a restaurant decorated for Christmas, with red bows and a barrel labeled 'Truckee WINE' in front.
People standing outside Truckee River Winery with a red vintage car. They are holding signs promoting their wine and awards. A dog is sitting near the signs. The winery building has a sign with the address 11467 Brockway Road.
A wine barrel labeled 'TRUCKEE WINE' used as a table with three bottles of wine and two vases with flowers on top, in an outdoor setting with snow and a backdrop of a red barn, barrel planters, and trees.
An outdoor scene with a table covered by a red and white checkered tablecloth, set with a wine bottle, glasses, and a salad bowl. A dog is lying on the brick pavement next to the table. In the background, there is a red barn with white trim, a table with gifts or items, and a blue wine press with barrels.
A red barn decorated with white trim and holiday lights, set against a dark night sky. The barn has Christmas wreaths and garlands, with outdoor seating and trees adorned with colorful Christmas lights, there is snow on the ground.
Cozy interior of a lounge space with purple couches, a small table, and wall decor. There is a staircase with bottles of wine on a shelf underneath, a mirror on the wall, a chandelier, and various framed pictures.

2022

TRW expands with a sister winery!

The Truckee River Family finds and builds a sister winery in Cedar Ridge, CA, expanding the business to the Sierra Foothills.

Interior of a horse stable with a dirt floor, white wooden partitions, and small section of artificial turf in the center. A small black dog stands near the left side, with grooming tools hanging on the wall. The open doorway at the back shows a sunny outdoor area with green grass.
A hallway with a wooden ceiling and walls, black metal supports, and a concrete floor. There are several ceiling lights and a barrel with a flat top in the foreground.
A backyard with a house on the left, a patio with a gazebo and outdoor furniture, a small tree in the foreground, and a yellow JCB front loader on the right moving dirt on a grassy yard with tall trees in the background.
A bottle of rosé wine labeled Cedar Ridge on a patio with a white house and tall trees in the background, sunlight filtering through the trees.
A partially built wooden shed or garage surrounded by grass and trees, with a pile of lumber in front and open doors revealing tools and equipment inside.
Interior of a construction site with exposed wall framing, a yellow ladder, worktable, toolboxes, and a covered floor with sawdust.
Wine or whiskey barrels stored in a winery or distillery warehouse with wooden ceiling and industrial lighting.
A person wearing sunglasses and a red cap is drinking from a glass in a construction site or unfinished building with wooden framing and overhead lighting.
A man sitting on a wooden platform on a truck bed, surrounded by wooden barrels, outdoors with trees and power lines in the background.

Winter

2023

Truckee River and 174 survive a HUGE winter!

The Sierras see the 2nd biggest winter on record with 723 inches recorded in Truckee.

Person standing on snow, holding a small object in the air, with a snow wall and snow-covered tree branches above.
A wine bottle and glass on a windowsill, with scattered bottle openers on a table, a large wine barrel, and a window showing snow-covered trees outside.
Snow-covered driveway leading to a red barn with white trim, surrounded by tall snowbanks and trees with bare branches, under a partly cloudy sky.
Snow-covered backyard with two sheds, surrounded by tall snow-laden evergreen trees under a clear blue sky.
A woman smiling while operating a forklift in a snowy outdoor setting, lifting a pallet of boxed goods.
Snow-covered red barn seen through a cleared pathway, with snow falling and trees in the background.

Spring

2023

An Estate Vineyard is Planted in Cedar Ridge.

600 vines of Malbec are planted by Truckee Family Wines on the front 1 acre pasture at 174 Winery.

Yellow JCB construction vehicle with a bucket moving dirt on a grassy field with trees and houses in the background.
Smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a cap taking a selfie in a field with two people working in the background, with trees and fencing visible
A small black dog is lying on the dirt ground next to a young grapevine in a vineyard, with a fence and trees in the background.
People planting grapevines in a vineyard on a sunny day.
A man standing in a vineyard with grapevines supported by a trellis system, in a sunny outdoor setting with tall trees in the background.
Two people standing in a garden with green plants. The woman on the left is wearing sunglasses, a purple plaid shirt, denim overalls, and boots. The man on the right is wearing sunglasses, a beige t-shirt, and shorts. There is a black dog in front of the man. Both are smiling and posing for the photo.
A woman taking a selfie with a man sitting on a bench at a vineyard on a sunny day.

Harvest

2023-2024

2024 Harvest and Crush occurs at both locations.

Although we have done crush ourselves since 1989, this was the first year we harvested our own grapes and crushed in Cedar Ridge!

Person holding a glass of white wine in front of a large container of grapes at a vineyard, with a man pouring wine and tasting glasses nearby.
Close-up of a hand holding a bunch of green grapes with a vineyard and trees in the background.
Large plastic bins filled with freshly harvested dark purple grapes in a wine cellar or winery, with a wooden ceiling and industrial lighting overhead.
Three people celebrating in a winery, one person covered in grape juice, holding wine glasses, with grape crushing equipment in the background.
Three people and a dog in a vineyard; one person is holding a glass of wine, another is holding a dog, and the third is standing next to a utility vehicle filled with grapes.
A woman in a teal tank top and dark shorts holding a glass of red wine while using a hose to draw from a large blue container, with a forest and parked trucks in the background.
Group of people raising glasses of red wine outdoors in a vineyard setting.
A woman in a purple shirt and sun hat uses a white tool to harvest grapes from a large blue and silver grape crushing machine outside near a red barn under a clear blue sky.

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