You know that saying, "I live and breathe it." For us, Narrow Gate Vineyards is more than a vineyard and winery, it's our lifestyle. "Lifestyle" has become the buzzword for everything from defining your personal living environment and tastes to relationship preference. But, for us, the word "Lifestyle" answers the questions, "How and where and with whom, do we want to spend the rest of our living, breathing years on this earth?" The word "lifestyle" also asks: "What is my purpose in this short life?" And, finally, without getting too "over-the-top-deep-thinking," the word lifestyle connotes a choice in the matter in terms of what level of satisfaction and fulfillment we desire in our day to day. Eventually, every decision we make about anything all points to our eventual goal to get out of the lifestyle we were in and into a lifestyle that reflects our values, dreams, goals, ambitions, and that offers opportunity for growth, maturity, peace and joy.
In 1997 Frank and I set out to find a future lifestyle for ourselves and our family that reflected both of our desire to grow in our God-given talents and abilities, to take hold of the peace and joy that we knew existed but never seemed to fully embrace in our "Southern California, fashion industry, high pressure, material-world, nanny-housekeeper-gardener, never-see-your-kids, kind of lifestyle."
First, for various, obvious reasons we decided we needed a wife and a mother so I, being the logical candidate, quit my big fashion industry career and signed up for the job! This was the beginning of downsizing, especially our income. It was difficult at first but it's amazing how "free" and untangled we began to feel when we took this "leap of faith" to simplify.
Frank, feeling under-challenged, over-traveled and discouraged in his 20-year fashion career, began to pursue his hobby of making wine in the garage. I also began teaching cooking part-time. While the kids napped I spent hours researching the Internet for opportunities to buy land. Little did we know all of our past experience and trials, as well as these hobbies, were stepping stones of preparation for us to eventually be: Frank & Teena Hildebrand, owner/winemakers of Narrow Gate Vineyards & Winery in Placerville, Calif.
Narrow Gate's story gives hope and inspiration to those trying to change their lives for the better, those wanting to "reinvent" themselves and those who know they are called to live their dream but can't get past the discouragement or obstacles. We are excited to talk to you, encourage you, share with you what has helped and hindered us in the journey. We'd also like to share the fruit of our labor - talk about why we chose to settle in the gorgeous foothills of the El Dorado County appellation, how our winemaking style came to be, what it's like being a husband/wife team, how it is essential for our success to put God first, family second, and work third without compromising our effectiveness and positive impact in each area. Bottom line, we live and breathe our dream and would love to share it with you!
The inspiration for the name of our winery and our present lives comes from these New Testament verses in Matthew 7:11-13:
"ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE, FOR BROAD IS THE WAY AND WIDE IS THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION AND MANY ENTER INTO IT BUT NARROW IS THE GATE THAT LEADS TO LIFE AND FEW FIND IT"
Learn more about us, our wines, & our events here on sacwineregion.com or at www.narrowgatevineyards.com.
Frank & Teena Hildebrand
In 1997 Frank and I set out to find a future lifestyle for ourselves and our family that reflected both of our desire to grow in our God-given talents and abilities, to take hold of the peace and joy that we knew existed but never seemed to fully embrace in our "Southern California, fashion industry, high pressure, material-world, nanny-housekeeper-gardener, never-see-your-kids, kind of lifestyle."
First, for various, obvious reasons we decided we needed a wife and a mother so I, being the logical candidate, quit my big fashion industry career and signed up for the job! This was the beginning of downsizing, especially our income. It was difficult at first but it's amazing how "free" and untangled we began to feel when we took this "leap of faith" to simplify.
Frank, feeling under-challenged, over-traveled and discouraged in his 20-year fashion career, began to pursue his hobby of making wine in the garage. I also began teaching cooking part-time. While the kids napped I spent hours researching the Internet for opportunities to buy land. Little did we know all of our past experience and trials, as well as these hobbies, were stepping stones of preparation for us to eventually be: Frank & Teena Hildebrand, owner/winemakers of Narrow Gate Vineyards & Winery in Placerville, Calif.
Narrow Gate's story gives hope and inspiration to those trying to change their lives for the better, those wanting to "reinvent" themselves and those who know they are called to live their dream but can't get past the discouragement or obstacles. We are excited to talk to you, encourage you, share with you what has helped and hindered us in the journey. We'd also like to share the fruit of our labor - talk about why we chose to settle in the gorgeous foothills of the El Dorado County appellation, how our winemaking style came to be, what it's like being a husband/wife team, how it is essential for our success to put God first, family second, and work third without compromising our effectiveness and positive impact in each area. Bottom line, we live and breathe our dream and would love to share it with you!
The inspiration for the name of our winery and our present lives comes from these New Testament verses in Matthew 7:11-13:
"ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE, FOR BROAD IS THE WAY AND WIDE IS THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION AND MANY ENTER INTO IT BUT NARROW IS THE GATE THAT LEADS TO LIFE AND FEW FIND IT"
Learn more about us, our wines, & our events here on sacwineregion.com or at www.narrowgatevineyards.com.
Frank & Teena Hildebrand