Amelia Ceja, President of Ceja Vineyards, is a trailblazing figure in the California wine industry, celebrated as both an influential winemaker and a champion of cultural diversity in viticulture. Ceja, along with her family, has transformed Ceja Vineyards from a small venture into a thriving wine business, with a mission to showcase her Hispanic heritage and craft high-quality wines from California’s fertile lands. Her story reflects resilience, passion, and innovation, resonating deeply with wine lovers and those inspired by the spirit of entrepreneurship.

We recently enjoyed an interview with her at this year’s Cherry Bombe Wine Country Jubilee where she shared more of her inspiring story.

Farmwork & Amelia’s Field of Dreams 

Amelia Ceja’s journey to becoming a prominent figure in the wine world started far from the vineyards of Napa Valley. Born in Las Flores, Jalisco, Mexico, Ceja moved to the United States with her family at the age of 12. Her parents were migrant farmworkers who worked tirelessly in California’s agricultural sector, often in the very vineyards that would one day become a defining part of Ceja’s life. This upbringing shaped her appreciation for agriculture, her work ethic, and her commitment to creating opportunities for her family and community.

The seeds of Ceja’s career in wine were sown when she met Pedro Ceja, who would later become her husband. Pedro’s family, like Amelia’s, had emigrated from Mexico to work in the vineyards. Over time, the two families would come together to fulfill a shared dream of owning and operating their own vineyard—a rarity for Mexican immigrants at the time, and frankly, still today.

Founding of Ceja Vineyards

In 1983, the Ceja family acquired their first parcel of land in Napa Valley, and by 1999, Amelia, her husband Pedro, his brother Armando, and Armando’s wife Martha officially established Ceja Vineyards. While many in the wine industry come from multi-generational, often European winemaking families, the Cejas were pioneers as a Mexican-American family-owned and operated vineyard and winery in the heart of California wine country. Their story was groundbreaking not only because of their background but also because of their approach to winemaking and marketing.

From the beginning, Ceja Vineyards set out to reflect the rich cultural heritage of its founders. Amelia became the company’s public face and spokesperson, focusing on creating wines that resonated with an increasingly diverse population of wine consumers. In 2005, Amelia was appointed as Ceja Vineyard’s president, making her the first Mexican-American woman to hold such a position in a major wine region, a milestone that marked her as a key figure in the industry.

Innovations in Wine and Food Pairing

One of Amelia Ceja’s notable contributions to winemaking lies in her innovative approach to wine and food pairing. Looking to her Mexican heritage, she draws from Latin flavors and dishes, showcasing how California wines can be complemented by foods beyond the traditional European pairings. For instance, she introduced pairings that matched bold red wines, like Ceja’s signature Pinot Noir and Merlot, with Mexican dishes such as mole, carnitas, and even spicy salsas.

“I was cooking since I was about one year old alongside my maternal grandmother in Mexico. And I just fell in love with flavors. Having those aromas emanating from my grandmother’s cazuelas is something so magical,” remembers Amelia.

“I wanted everyone who loves food, and for me specifically Mexican cuisine is one of my favorites, to have that experience of enjoying wine with it.”

Her approach challenged long-standing conventions within the wine industry, encouraging people to explore wines in new ways and to appreciate how they could enhance the flavors of a wide variety of cuisines. This focus on food not only attracted wine lovers but also drew in a broader audience who might not have otherwise considered wine as a beverage compatible with non-European cuisines. Amelia’s passion for bringing together food and wine in innovative ways helped to diversify the market and expand the cultural relevance of California wines.

“Everyone thought I was crazy. But I don’t really care what people think of me. In the wine industry, there’s resistance to change. And you know what? We really need to shake it up! Because in order to grow the number of consumers, we need to have a nuestra casa es su casa environment, where everyone feels welcome regardless whether someone is a novice or a master somme,” she explains.

Commitment to Sustainable Winemaking

Ceja Vineyards has long been committed to sustainable and environmentally-friendly winemaking practices. Recognizing the importance of land stewardship, Amelia and her family have implemented various measures to ensure that their vineyard operations minimize ecological impact. Ceja Vineyards has long worked to reduce the use of synthetic chemicals and emphasize soil health and biodiversity. They also focus on water conservation, a critical practice given California’s ongoing challenges with drought.

Beyond sustainability on the vineyard, Amelia has advocated for social responsibility in wine production. She believes in fair labor practices and community empowerment, reflecting her family’s own experiences as migrant workers in the fields. Her leadership serves as a model of ethical business practices in a region where labor issues have historically sometimes been fraught.

Advocating for Diversity in the Wine Industry

Amelia Ceja uses her position in the industry to advocate for diversity and inclusion in winemaking. Ceja is vocal about the underrepresentation of Hispanic individuals in the wine industry, both as consumers and professionals, and she’s working to change that narrative through outreach, mentorship, and public speaking. Her influence has helped create more visibility for diverse voices and perspectives in winemaking, a shift that is slowly reshaping the face of California wine culture.

Through Ceja Vineyards, Amelia has also prioritized making wine accessible to communities that have traditionally been overlooked by the industry. She has participated in bilingual marketing and educational programs, helping to bridge the gap between the wine industry and Latino communities. These efforts have increased wine’s reach, particularly among Hispanic consumers, who represent a growing demographic in California and the U.S. as a whole.

“The 2000 census told us that there was almost a country within a country – 38 million Hispanics, yet the wine industry had totally ignored them for one reason,” Celia shares. “These are people that are just waiting to be invited in to enjoy a beverage that brings people together, paired with their favorite food, not the one that I’m going to be dictating.”

Agricultural Industry Recognitions and Accolades

Amelia Ceja’s impact has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to the wine industry and her efforts to promote diversity. In 2004, she was named “Woman of the Year” by California State Assembly for her achievements and leadership in the agricultural and wine sectors. Her story has been featured in various media outlets, and she is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and panels, where she shares her insights on winemaking, sustainability, and the importance of diversity in the wine business. In 2016, Amelia received the Dolores Huerta Farmworker Justice Award for her advocacy of worker protection.

Moreover, her pioneering work has inspired a new generation of Latino winemakers who see Ceja’s journey as a testament to what is possible in an industry where traditional barriers often limit minority participation. She has also collaborated with organizations that support women in business, leveraging her success to mentor and encourage other women, particularly women of color, to pursue leadership roles in winemaking and beyond.

“There is not a lot of women in the wine industry, even less Latina women. So I take that very seriously. But I really wanted to prove and to show others that it doesn’t matter where you begin. What matters is what you do from that point on. So we really wanted to show the contribution of the Mexican labor force, because without them, we wouldn’t be making these amazing wines nor have food on the table,” says Amelia.

The Legacy of Ceja Vineyards

Amelia Ceja’s work at Ceja Vineyards has helped redefine what it means to be a California winemaker. Her vision has elevated the vineyard from a small family operation to an influential brand recognized for quality, innovation, and cultural authenticity. Ceja Vineyards is now known for producing exceptional wines that include varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon—all crafted to showcase the unique terroir of Napa and Sonoma.

Amelia’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship has set Ceja Vineyards apart in a competitive industry. The vineyard’s wines are celebrated not only for their quality but for the story they tell about family, heritage, and the power of dreams.

“I want to inspire others to do something that they’re passionate about and that feels outside of their comfort zone. Like right now, close your eyes and think of a moment that you felt was totally outside of your comfort zone. You had an idea, but you talked yourself out of following that idea,” Amelia encourages. “Snap. You have to follow that idea because no one’s going to do it for you. And it is you, you are the author of your own story.”

Amelia Ceja: A Lasting Impact on California Wine

Amelia Ceja’s journey from a small village in Mexico to the vineyards of Napa Valley embodies the promise of the American dream, fused with an enduring respect for heritage and the land. Through Ceja Vineyards, she has introduced a fresh perspective to California winemaking—one that honors the diversity of the state’s people and the richness of its soils.

As the first Mexican-American woman to lead a major winery, Ceja has left an indelible mark on the wine industry, inspiring countless others and paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future in winemaking. With every bottle, Ceja Vineyards reflects her family’s passion and dedication to producing wines that tell a story, bridging cultures and celebrating the shared love for California’s agricultural bounty.

Article written by Alison Needham @agirl_defloured. Photography by James Collier @jamescollier