When I sat down with Sheree Thornsberry, co-founder of Innumero Wines, her passion for wine and storytelling drew me in. The discussion of founding Innumero Wines began during a wine trip to Calistoga in 2018 where they had a summer house. They were sitting in a dive bar in Calistoga where Sheree and her husband Brian were talking about their dream of starting a winery and they were encouraged by their son to pursue their dream. “You’re above average,” he said, sparking laughter and planting the seed for their passion.
That moment of “encouragement” led them to a decision six months later to make a change from their current careers in St. Louis working in finance to a new life in Sonoma County. Brian filed for an LLC with the name of the parent company being “Above Average Ventures.”
The History
They were very intentional about how they built Innumero Wines. From its launch in 2021, they chose the best sources that would enable them to make great wine. They started by hiring Ashley Herzberg to make the wines as a consulting winemaker. (I recently wrote about her for her work at CAST wines). who knew how to craft elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that reflect the terroir.
The family’s decision to source grapes from Bacigalupi Vineyards was another pivotal moment. Known for its historic role in producing grapes for the 1973 Château Montelena Chardonnay that triumphed at the Judgment of Paris, Bacigalupi represents excellence and collaboration in Sonoma County. “We knew we always loved the wines from that vineyard and had the confidence to ask,” Sheree shared. “Thankfully, they agreed to sell us a few tons.” By focusing on single-vineyard, single-clone wines, Innumero captures the essence of Sonoma County’s cool-climate AVAs for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Spectacular Growth in the Business
Despite industry challenges, Innumero Wines has achieved remarkable success, boasting 138% year-over-year growth in the direct-to-consumer market in 2025 despite widespread declines in wine sales. Sheree attributes this profitability to their unwavering focus on quality and authentic relationships with allocation list members. Their strategy includes sourcing grapes not just by vineyard but by specific blocks and clones within those vineyards.
Sheree also shared how they keep overhead low by operating with only two full-time employees and conducting tastings at their Custom Crush Facility rather than maintaining a traditional tasting room. This lean approach allows Innumero to focus resources on crafting small-lot wines that resonate deeply with their customers while maintaining a sustainable and profitable business model.
The Wines
- 2023 Innumero Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard Chardonnay – notes of citrus, pear, green apple and stone fruit with a nice minerality.
- 2023 Innumero Little Boot Vineyard Pinot Noir – notes of black cherry, spice, violet and rose petals.
- 2023 Innumero Norstar Pinot Noir – lots of red fruit, flowers, baking spice and floral notes.
I didn’t try them, but the winery also has a family reserve Pinot Noir, which consists of the best four barrels from the vineyard blended into one wine, another Chardonnay, and a Burgundian style Sauvignon Blanc currently in development.
Allocation Club
Innumero Wines offers its Allocation List Members an exclusive opportunity to secure special wines. We talked about how they know every member personally and how they help them enter new markets by hosting home-tasting events in different markets.
Innumero Wines is a testament to following your passion and taking bold leaps of faith. From a casual conversation sparked by encouragement to a thriving boutique winery crafting award-winning wines like their 2023 Little Boot Vineyard Pinot Noir and Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard Chardonnay, their story reminds us that success comes from intentionality, collaboration, and embracing challenges head-on.
