A family-owned winery in Sonoma County has removed 1.25 acres of Zinfandel grapes to plant 3,000 sunflowers, seeking to draw visitors amidst a challenging period for California's wine industry.
Chateau Diana, located in Healdsburg, is the latest establishment to pivot from traditional grape cultivation. Corey Manning, co-owner of the winery, cited the increasing sight of empty fields in California Wine Country as a motivation for the change. "I figured I would just try it out and see if they liked it. I’ve been shocked to see how excited people are to drink wine among the sunflowers," Manning told The Press Democrat.
Manning explained that the decision was also a business strategy to create an "Instagrammable" experience, offering visitors a visually appealing setting to enjoy wine. This approach aims to revitalize the traditional wine tasting culture, which has seen declining popularity among younger demographics.
The winery has been gradually increasing its sunflower cultivation since 2022, with Manning's wife Emily's interest in sunflowers serving as an inspiration. "Each year, we’d grow more and more, so the field got bigger and bigger," he added.
Beyond the sunflowers, Chateau Diana has also been involved in community support. Since 2008, Manning has cultivated approximately 10,000 pounds of produce annually for Farm to Pantry, a local nonprofit organization.
Chateau Diana was established by Manning's parents in 1981. The removal of its Zinfandel vines comes as California's wine industry faces significant vineyard land reduction. Between October 2024 and August 2025, 2,711 acres of vines were removed in Sonoma County alone. Statewide, a total of 38,134 acres were removed during that 10-month period.