My grandmother, Ellen Josephine Redding, was a pioneer.

She was born on the town square of Nicasio, California in 1899, and she was the youngest granddaughter to one of Marin County’s earliest settlers. My grandfather was also born to one of Nicasio’s early families. His life’s work as a commercial artist started in San Francisco where he “slapped out lettering by the yard” and creatively courted the attention of my grandmother, the country girl. 

Counted among the historic treasures and transcripts of Marin County is the collection of envelopes that were penned by my grandfather Joseph to my grandmother Ellen.

He courted her, via the United States Postal Service, from 1925 until their wedding day at St. Mary’s Church on August 8th, 1928 in Nicasio, California. Each of the quirky and colorful envelopes were so memorable that the eventual addressee became simply ‘Ellen, San Rafael’. And while the letters remain strictly between them, each of the envelopes are now forever archived as part of Marin County’s culture, history, and the Anne T. Kent California Room Collection in the iconic Marin County Civic Center.

My wines are romance-based, creative, and true to their source.

Patrick McNeil

Nicasio, California