Clark-Claudon, Biography

Clark~Claudon Vineyards is the result of a dream, a risk and a lot of hard work. The family is that old fashioned variety that spends time together working and playing. We have a family business that reflects both a determination to reach for excellence and the ability to laugh and have a good time while doing it. The family includes Tom & Laurie, their children Josh and Briana & Briana's husband Brian Forgie. Our parents, Paul & June Claudon & Vance & Jean Clark have been a source of wonderful support since the inception of our business. Paul & Vance were actively involved until their sad passing in 2001 & 2002 respectively. We know they remain with us in spirit.

It was serendipity that brought Tom and Laurie to the Napa Valley. After returning from the Peace Corps together they briefly lived in Yuba City where Tom worked for Hunt Wesson Foods and Laurie taught high school. Days after the birth of their son Joshua, a friend from their alma mater Cal Poly asked if Tom would be interested in managing vineyards in the Napa Valley. Without skipping a beat, the couple sold their house and moved within six weeks.

From Souverain Management Company to El Retiro Vineyards (now Screaming Eagle) to Spring Mountain Winery Tom mastered the art of wine growing. Then, in 1980 he began Clark Vineyard Management Company. Over the course of the next ten years Tom managed and developed vineyards for private individuals and wineries from one end of the Napa Valley to the other, continuously fine-tuning his sense of what was required to produce exceptional fruit. Then in 1989 he and Laurie began Clark~Claudon Vineyards.

Tom Clark

Laurie and Brandon

Tom is not a gentleman farmer, but instead one whose love for the work and the land overshadows all else. There is nowhere he would rather be than in his vineyard with a red tale hawk flying overhead. It is the love that he brings to growing beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon fruit that makes such an exceptional difference.

While Tom was developing his expertise Laurie was raising Joshua and his new sister Briana. Because of her growing interest in Tom's work she stayed informed and learned along with him. In fact, it was not uncommon to find Laurie and the children in the vineyard with Tom for picnic lunches and dinners. It was a very idyllic way to bring up a family.

When the children went to school Laurie resumed teaching and eventually returned to school herself. In 1987 she become a psychotherapist with specialties in both women's and adolescents' issues. Since the beginning of their wine business she has taken on an active role with the customers, the business details and the winemaking. In 2001 she gave up her private practice to be involved full time in the family winemaking business. She is the never ending romantic, the organizational guru and the soul of the business.