Our Team

Bill & Betsy

Original Owners

Original Owners Bill and Betsy Nachbaur sold ACORN Winery to Ken and Melissa Moholt-Siebert in 2023. They remain richly involved and invested in the legacy of ACORN and the continuation of its family heritage.

Bill traded in his law books for books on viticulture, pruning shears, and a tractor when the couple purchased Alegría Vineyards in 1990. In the early years, he was in the vineyards every day, with Betsy helping on weekends. Within a few years she joined Bill full time.

They started off selling all their grapes to other wineries who produced highly prized Alegría Vineyard-designated wines. Then in 1994, they began making their own wine, establishing ACORN Winery with its first release in 1996, the 1994 Sangiovese. Thereafter they gradually kept more grapes for ACORN and added ten different wine varietals.

Betsy and Bill have crafted a beautiful legacy of small-production winemaking with all ACORN wines made from grapes they grew themselves at Alegría. Every wine is a field blend, following the ancient tradition represented in the mixed planting of the original 129-year old vineyard. Every wine is made by co-fermenting multiple varieties. They like to say that their wines are blended from the day they are picked, setting ACORN wines apart.

Bill and Betsy continue living on the property and after more than 30 years still find alegría living in the middle of the vineyards, enjoying the cool Russian River Valley climate. They have carried and passed on a long tradition of sustainably growing premium quality grapes and producing acclaimed award-winning wines.

Francine

General Manager

Starting at ACORN in 2003, Francine’s job has snow-balled from consulting to include managing the ACORN and Alegría wine clubs, HR, compliance, and helping at harvest. When Betsy and Bill are away, Francine also pours for visitors, one of her favorite jobs. As Betsy says, “Francine keeps the wheels on the wagon and keeps it moving forward.”

Zach

Vineyard & Event Support

Zach’s first harvest at ACORN was 2009. When he’s not in the vineyard or pouring at events, Zach enjoys cooking, watching soccer, and making espresso. Dolcetto is his favorite ACORN wine because it’s uncommon in California and goes great with food.