Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery

Richard Kurmwiede ('84, Landscape Architecture)
Owner, Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery

After launching a successful landscape architecture business, which recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary, Richard Krumwiede decided to explore another one of his life’s passions. In 2007, he planted a wine vineyard at his mountain home. A few years later, he embarked on a wine co-operative with friends and then launched Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery in Crestline in 2015.

Both landscape architecture and winemaking feed his creative muse.

“In landscape architecture, the reward is seeing our idea come to life in the built environment and enhancing people’s lives. In winemaking, I enjoy taking a raw ingredient, grapes, and transforming them into inspired, award-winning wines,” he says.

In 2019, Sycamore Ranch won first in Sunset Magazine’s International Wine Competition and the top spot at the Orange County Fair’s Commercial Wine competition in 2021.

“Cal Poly Pomona’s motto ‘learn by doing’ has been a big part of my success,” Krumwiede says.