A Brief History

Milliaire Winery in Murphys, California is owned by Liz and Steve Millier. Steve Millier received a degree in enology and viticulture from Fresno State in 1975. His first job out of school was as winemaker for the David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Liz begain working with Steve in 1976, and they have been a winemaking partnership since then. To Steve's technical and artistic skills, Liz brings marketing and sales. Steve explains "We balance each other, each partner brings their energy and talent to the winery. We discuss every detail of winemaking and share all the ups and downs of the creative process."

At Milliaire we are committed to small lots of wine produced exclusively from Sierra Foothill vineyards. The first vintage consisted of three barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Frank Alviso of Clockspring Vineyards in Amador County. The first vintages were cellared in the basement of our home and at Bob Bliss's winery, Chispa Cellars. Today annual production is usually around 2,500 cases.

In 1990 the winery moved to Main Street in Murphys. We are located in what was originally an old Flying A gas station. The Millier's would love to have an old logo or sign, if anyone has an extra. The winery building has been affectionately dubbed the "Roadside Chateau." It is actually ideally suited for a winery: high ceilings, cement floors and those big bay doors. Murphys Creek flows behind the winery and provides natural air conditioning.

Milliaire means milestone in French. In 1983 when the winery was started, Steve was winemaker at Stevenot and also made wine for at least 9 different other local entities. Since it seemed like Steve was everybody's winemaker, it did not seem right to put his name on just one label. The winery name is pronounced the same as the family name.

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