Bill Wathen, co-owner
Founder & Co-owner, Winemaker & Viticulturist

Born and raised in San Luis Obispo, Bill Wathen is a true Central Coast native. He chose to attend Cal Poly University where he graduated in 1975 with a degree in Fruit Science, specializing in vineyard management. After graduation, Bill’s first job was to work for two Santa Barbara County viticultural pioneers -- Dale Hampton and Louie Lucas, at the Tepusquet Mesa Vineyard (now owned by Cambria Estate) and the Nielsen Vineyard (currently owned by Byron Vineyard.)

In 1978, Bill went north to become vineyard manager at Chalone Vineyard, where he was mentored by California wine pioneer and Chalone founder, Dick Graff. It was here that Bill learned traditional French winemaking techniques and appreciation for great Burgundies. Graff’s influence inspires Bill’s winemaking philosophy to this day. Bill’s approach to winemaking is straightforward as he explains, “It goes back to my roots as a viticulturist. I make every effort to make the perfect wine in the vineyard. Maximized viticulture equals minimalist winemaking.”

Returning to Santa Barbara County in the early eighties, Bill joined long-time friend, Dick Doré, and began making plans to make wine together. He lives in the Santa Ynez Valley with his wife Becky. 

Dick Doré, co-owner
Founder & Co-owner, General & Sales Manager

Life has come full circle for Dick Doré. Born and raised on the family-owned Rancho Tinaquaic, this sixth generation Santa Barbara County resident returned to his roots in 1985 where he established FOXEN Vineyard & Winery with Bill Wathen.

After working as a banker in the late sixties and seventies, this University of California at Santa Barbara graduate gave up his nine-to-five job and moved his family to Europe. Over the next year and a half, Dick traveled the back roads of France, Italy and Spain, where he developed his love of wine. Dick returned to theRancho Tinaquaic in the late seventies, just as the Santa Barbara County wine industry was emerging. With his passion for great wines firmly established, he initially worked to support his family, which included working for the Tepusquet Mesa Vineyard. It was here that Dick and Bill’s paths crossed and a life-long friendship and partnership was established.

Dick makes his home in the Santa Ynez Valley, where he lives with his wife, Jenny. When he is not out “on the road” selling wine and hosting FOXEN events, his free time is spent nurturing his and Jenny’s seven-acre Williamson-Doré Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley and tending his vegetable garden and orchard.

Jenny Williamson Doré
Marketing and California & Florida Sales

Jenny has been involved in the Santa Barbara County wine industry for nearly twenty years in public relations, marketing and sales. In 2001, she decided to step back from her position as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Cambria Winery to devote her full time and energy to Foxen’s marketing and California and Florida wine sales.

Jenny and Dick are settled in the Santa Ynez Valley where they enjoy life as vineyard owners and new “empty-nesters”, now that her youngest is away at college. When she’s not out selling Foxen wines in Florida or California, or volunteering as a Board member of World of Pinot Noir, Jenny can be found in the Williamson-Doré Vineyard looking for pesky gophers.