Explore the roots of the wine -
and our family's roots

About Tim & Cindy Newkirk . . .

Tim Newkirk graduated from Concordia University in Portland, OR with a B.A. in education.  He worked as an air traffic controller before moving his family to Paso Robles.  Tim is the business manager for Steinbeck Vineyards.  Tim enjoys umpiring baseball at many levels and enjoys golfing at the beautiful courses in Paso Robles.

Cindy Newkirk graduated from Concordia University in Portland, OR with a B.A. in education and from Concordia University in Irvine, CA with an M.A. in reformation history and theology.  She worked in youth ministry in the Lutheran Church before moving to Paso Robles.  Cindy farms the wine grapes – yes, tractor work, irrigation, etc, etc, etc.  Cindy continues to develop The WineYard at Steinbeck Vineyards.  Cindy speaks publicly on behalf of the Paso Robles wine industry and serves on the Board of Directors for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. 
See www.pasowine.com

History of Steinbeck Vineyards
Howie Steinbeck began farming barley on this property, located east of Paso Robles, CA, in 1943 (at age 5) with his grandfather, Frank Ernst. He and Bev (Jespersen), his wife and life-long partner, purchased this acreage in 1972 and planted wine grapes in 1982. The original 50 acres produces an old vine Cabernet, featured at Castoro Winery, Eagle Castle Winery, Eberle Winery, all of whom have been working with Howie for many years. Howie increased the planted acres and purchased adjacent properties. Today Steinbeck Vineyards is comprised of 500 acres of premium wine grapes, which are sold to wineries throughout California. Howie is a partner in other vineyards and also custom farms for other families. All total, Howie farms or manages 1,000 acres of premium wine grapes in Paso Robles. Many local wineries feature fruit grown by Howie Steinbeck and family.

In 1997 Howie and Bev moved their son-in-law, daughter, and two grandchildren (Tim, Cindy, Ryan, and Stacy Newkirk) “home” to help with the family’s growing business. The Newkirk family resides in the family’s historic ranch house, built in 1923 by Howie’s grandparents. Tim, Cindy, and Ryan are employed by Steinbeck Vineyards, working in every aspect of the family business. Stacy, Tim and Cindy's daughter, is studying music at Concordia University in Chicago, IL.

Bev (Jespersen) Steinbeck's pioneer roots are deep in Paso Robles as well! Bev represented Paso Robles as Pioneer Day Belle in 1957 and her grandmother Jennie was Pioneer Day Queen. The Jespersen family settled in San Luis County in 1874, moving to Paso Robles shortly after. Chris Jespersen, Bev's grandfather, served the State of California as a Representative and Senator in the 1930's and 40's.

The Ernst family heritage - Howie's great grandparents on his mother's side

Barbara Amelia Mathis (Howie’s great grandmother) was born June 21, 1853. She says, “On May 14, 1868 we had our trunks packed and were ready to leave the dear old home (in Alsace) that had been occupied for a century or more by the Mathises. Everyone in the village turned out to bid us farewell.” They traveled seventeen days on the boat to New York City. The trip to Chicago from New York City took “five weary long days.” The family finally settled in Geneseo, Illinois. She married William Ernst of Geneseo, Illinois.

In December 1884 Barbara and William moved west. She says, “It was hard to leave the home in Alsace, but twice as hard to leave our very own that we both had worked for and the cradle that had rocked four wonderful babies born there and so on, but we were young and the children would soon forget. So we began to sell out, pack our trunks and follow the motto “Go West.” Their move was in response to a newspaper article published in Geneseo, Illinois saying, “we need a few families to help start a Lutheran Church – good farm land.” William Ernst and his two brothers moved to and resided with their families in Geneseo, CA (They named the district Geneseo). At one time twenty-one Ernst children attended the little Geneseo schoolhouse.

Frank Ernst, son of Barbara and William married Rosetta Paulus in 1907. Frank and Rosy built the ranch house in 1923, the home in which Tim, Cindy and their two children live. They raised their five children Harold, Hazel (Howie’s mom), Wilmar, Elsworth, and Eugene. Hazel and her husband George Steinbeck raised their four children in the ranch house. Howie and Bev moved into the home when they were first married in 1959 and raised their four children there as well. Cindy and Tim Newkirk now reside in the historic ranch house and have raised their children Ryan and Stacy, the fifth generation to enjoy the beautiful ranch house. Howie and Bev built a beautiful home overlooking the vineyards in 1999.

Cindy and Tim Newkirk enjoy the farming lifestyle and enjoy welcoming guests to the ranch. Tim was raised in Corvallis, OR and attended Oregon State University and earned his B.A. in Education at Concordia University in Portland, OR. He is an avid golfer and Little League baseball umpire. In August of 2005 he umpired the 12 year old Regional tournament in San Bernardino, CA, earning his eligibility to umpire the Little League World Series. He "retired" from Air Traffic Control to move his family to the beautiful Paso Robles wine grape country. Tim is Cindy's number one supporter and partner for life.

Cindy's passion for life began when she was born! Exploring the world around her and meeting people fascinates her even now. Earning the tractor driving title "chief getter stucker" in the very wet winter of 1997 has become the joke of the ranch (fortunately she's a better driver now). Cindy earned her B.A. in Education from Concordia University, Portland, OR in 1983 and worked in Lutheran Churches as a Youth Director. She earned her M.A. in Reformation (16th Century) History and Theology from Concordia University, Irvine, CA in 2002. Cindy is an avid educator and takes pride in using concise language to communicate the topic at hand. Those topics might include scriptural themes, vineyard education or personal development topics (or a combination thereof). She teaches in many venues including her local Lutheran congregation, women's retreats or conventions.

The WineYard at Steinbeck Vineyards launched another venue for Cindy to educate, bringing guests to the ranch so vineyard education can take place in the field. The family actively participates in the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance where Cindy serves in an elected position on the Board of Directors.

At Right:
Historical News paper articles from the
San Luis Obispo Tribune 1900 & 1901

Our Mission . . . is to preserve and enhance the heritage of our family farm by providing educational experiences, teaching land stewardship, and demonstrating the process of growing premium wine grapes, while communicating the history of the region which embodies the essence of Steinbeck Vineyards.