Who We Are
Laura and Kyle Gabriel met in film school in Boston and immediately bonded over their love of sharing great food and wine with friends. Several years later, after working in the film and music industry in Los Angeles by day and exploring home brewing and new wine regions by night, the concept for Paper Planes was born over a LA dinner party. In 2014, they crowdfunded to launch Paper Planes with just twelve thousand dollars. After their first harvest, they were hooked. They quit their jobs, moved to Napa, and dove into the wine business.
Calling on Laura's roots growing up in Napa Valley, they re-connected with growers, winemakers and sommeliers to help nurture their new brand. Today, Laura spends her days working for another family winery in Sonoma while moonlighting as the head of marketing for Paper Planes. Most days, you can find Kyle in the winery or vineyard, or telling cat jokes over zoom as he also produces animated film & TV projects.
In 2019 they welcomed their first child, Noah, and in 2021 their daughter Ella joined the party. 2024 marks their 10th year in business, and the opening of The River Club, a collaborative tasting space along the river in Downtown Napa.
Follow along @paperplaneswine and visit us the next time you are in Napa!
— Laura, Kyle, Noah + Ella
Crowdfunding - How it All Started
Our successful Crowdfunding campaign ran in September of 2014 and helped us raise about half of the funds needed to launch Paper Planes Wine. This project wouldn't be possible without the incredible people below!
Karen + Larry Maguire - Charlie Maguire - Jim Myerson - Paula + John Simi - Nick Miller - JP Gronlund - Laura Tatelman - Ann Reynolds - Gabe Hobson - Luna Pierson - Sara Torello - Tina + John Swenson - Ali Davison - Sam Horowitz - Matt + Maggie Alfano - Loretta Davison - Madeleine Tudor - Meredith McBee - Melanie Garland + Pat Gabriel - Stephanie Cohen - Patrick Gerbes - Michael Coughlin - Elise Aliberti - Nick Davis - Katy Barfield - Dean Wellins - Sarah Basta - Rebecca Guthrie - Lindsay Randall - Trisha Monesi - Kara Foley - Renee Kimmel - Sam Stratton - Mandy Mamlet - Rachel Levy - Pat + Bob Glass - Jessica Hong - Kerry Havas - Melissa Donnan - Marissa Andaloro - Peter Hughes - Lisa Rondina - Brian Gallagher - Erle Norton - Hannah Mescon - Matt Indellicati - Matt Mugford - Vikki Kane - Sarah Mullin - Maggie Malone - Karen Tuder - Simone McManus - Dave Kohut - Leila Khastoo - Margaret Gardener - Regina Glasser - Kyle Zabala - Leanne Williams - Alyssa Cashman - Jennifer Selvitella - Alex Berardino - Josie Trinidad - Sean Shapiro - Will Everett - David Campbell - Kristen Bushnell - Todd Stern - Jennifer Spinney - Randy Haykin - Nikki Walsh - Meryl Grenadier - Peggy Alamano - Stefanie Tuder - Corey Mansfield - Logan Miller - Don Caruso - Heather McClure - Susan Cappiello - Tom + Nushi Brown - Hal + Fiona Barnett - Kelly Williams - Kylee Olson - Katrinka Suydam - Steven Fine - Stephanie Castillo - Amanda Krieg - Matt + Sarah Gabriel - Michelle McManus - Charlie + Crystal Mendoza - Kim Turner - Jake + Carrie Voulgarides - Shelby Hoffman - Justin McManus - Nick Russell - Doug + Becky Walker - Laura Harwood - Lisa Macy - Brian O'Connor - Lydia Larson - Michael Maguire - Carla McKay - Ruth Strother - Marty + Deb Tudor - JD Eiseman - Priya Perera - Beth Nickel - Cymbre Walk - J Michael Polisano - Young Kim - Jon Holman - Josh MacDonald - Kathy Eiseman - Danielle Caramico - Nicole Lawler - Brian Estrada - Bryan Davidson - Claire Loeb - Anny Colvin - Ann Miller - Michelle Ortega - Sharon Melodia