Freeman winery has provided generous support and partnered with the Green Music Center to present world-class artists to our communities since 2019. Freeman’s Winery has been one of the great pioneers of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, charting a course to the western edges of California wine growing, where the influence of the Pacific Ocean shapes the character of the wines. In doing so, the winery has helped to define a more balanced, sophisticated and thoughtful style of winemaking—a style that has been embraced by connoisseurs and collectors around the world.
In 2001, Owners Ken and Akiko Freeman acquired a small winery in the Russian River Valley town of Sebastopol where they established Freeman Vineyard & Winery. In 2005 they acquired an adjacent property, now the site of their Gloria Estate Vineyard; and in 2007 they purchased the Freeman Ranch further west in the Sonoma Coast appellation, where they planted their second vineyard, named ‘Yu-ki’. At Freeman, the gifted palate of winemaker Akiko Freeman guides every wine, every vintage. Counting back her family tree 21 generations, Akiko grew up in Tokyo. Her grandfather was one of Japan’s leading academics, and his love for wine, literature and art was contagious, imbuing his granddaughter with a lifelong taste for the enigmatic beauty of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition to being a skilled businessman, as Freeman’s proprietor Ken has become a jack-of-all-trades, working closely with Freeman’s portfolio of respected vineyard partners, rolling up his sleeves to help with the winemaking, and adding his palate to the blending team.
Corporate contributions are critical to the Green Music Center and their support brings incredible performers from all over the world to Sonoma County. We are thankful to our corporate partners for their deep commitment to fostering thriving communities through the arts and education, and for supporting the ways we enrich the quality of life.
Spring is the best time of the year to involve your business in our upcoming Summer and 2024-2025 Season and maximize your partnership’s impact. For more information on partnerships and support, contact Kris Berger at bergerk@sonoma.edu or (707) 664-3814.
