Cardinal Rule Wines

Overview

Cardinal Rule Wines is a family winery founded and operated by Warren and Rose Loui in California’s Napa Valley region. The business represents the entrepreneurial spirit passed down through both sides of the family and serves as a focal point for multi-generational family activities centered around wine making, blending, and appreciation.

Business Details

Founding

• Founded: Date unknown (operating by 2021, likely earlier)
• Founders: Warren Loui and Rose Chan Loui
• Website: cardinalrulewines.com

Location

• Primary region: Napa Valley, California
• Participated in wine blending at Conn Creek winery
• Multiple wine country properties visited (Napa, Sonoma)

Type of Operation

• Family winery operation
• Wine making and blending
• Appears to be boutique/small production
• Direct involvement of family members in wine activities

Family Involvement

Founders/Operators

Warren Loui:

• Co-founder with Rose
• Attorney and USC Law professor
• Weingart Center chairman
• Wine enthusiast and entrepreneur

Rose Loui:

• Co-founder with Warren
• Attorney at Rodriguez Horii Choi & Cafferata
• East West Players Board Chair
• Noted wine connoisseur (from 2021 newsletter)
• Active participant in wine blending and tasting

Family Participation

From 2021 newsletter, entire family involved in wine activities:

• Nicholas, Ryan, and Samantha (Warren and Rose’s children)
• Partners: Ariana, Drew, Cammie participated
• Family trips to wine country for blending and tasting
• Blind wine tasting competitions at family gatherings

Multi-Generational Activity

Wine business provides focus for:

• Regular family trips to Napa and Sonoma
• Wine blending sessions (documented at Conn Creek)
• Dinners at wine country restaurants (Ad Hoc, others)
• Birthday celebrations (Sammy’s birthday in Napa, October 2021)
• Quality family time across generations

Business Activities (Documented 2021)

Wine Country Visits

From 2021 newsletter:

March 2021 - Napa Valley Wine Weekend:

• Wine blending at Conn Creek
• Dinner at Ad Hoc restaurant
• Rose and Warren with family

October 2021 - Sammy’s Birthday in Napa:

• Birthday celebration combined with wine activities
• Family gathering in wine country

September 2021 - Sonoma:

• Extended family and friends visit
• Wine activities in Sonoma region

Wine Activities

• Wine blending (Conn Creek and possibly Cardinal Rule facilities)
• Wine tasting (blind competitions at family gatherings)
• Wine education (family members developing expertise)
• Social gatherings centered around wine

Rose’s Wine Expertise

From 2021 newsletter:

“Participated in blind wine tasting competitions with family. Noted wine connoisseur based on newsletter descriptions.”

Suggests:

• Rose has developed significant wine knowledge
• Family engages in competitive blind tastings
• Wine appreciation is serious family interest, not casual hobby

Business Challenges

2020 California Wildfires

From 2021 newsletter:

“Impacted by 2020 California wildfires”

Impact:

• Napa/Sonoma region heavily affected by fires
• Smoke taint concerns for wine grapes
• Possible property damage (details not specified)
• Recovery efforts in 2021

Resilience:

• Business continued operating after wildfires
• Family continued wine country activities in 2021
• Multiple visits documented post-fires

Family Business Tradition

Entrepreneurial Heritage

Warren’s side (Loui Family):

• Florence Loui: Private medical practice (entrepreneurship in medicine)
• Warren: Law practice, teaching, nonprofit leadership

Rose’s side (Chan Family):

• Jesse Chan: Multiple businesses in Taiwan (nightclub, real estate, import/export, bakery)
• Betty Chan: Managed bakery business
• Meg Chan & Peter Feitelberg: “Quite smart in business” (specific ventures TBD)

Cardinal Rule Wines continues this entrepreneurial tradition:

• Warren and Rose as business owners while maintaining professional careers
• Family involvement across generations
• Building something together beyond day jobs

Combining Passions

The winery combines:

• Professional success (both attorneys with demanding careers)
• Entrepreneurship (owning and operating business)
• Family time (regular trips and activities)
• Cultural appreciation (wine, food, hospitality)
• Education (teaching family about wine)

Business Model (Inferred)

Boutique Winery

Characteristics suggest:

• Family operation (not corporate)
• Small production (personal involvement in blending)
• Direct-to-consumer (website: cardinalrulewines.com)
• Napa Valley focus (premium wine region)
• Quality over quantity (blending sessions, connoisseur approach)

Time Investment

Given Warren and Rose’s professional careers:

• Part-time operation (not full-time focus)
• Seasonal activities (harvest, blending, bottling)
• Family involvement helps with labor/tasks
• Professional management possibly for day-to-day operations

Significance

Family Gathering Point

Cardinal Rule Wines provides:

• Regular reason for family to gather (wine country trips)
• Shared project across generations
• Educational opportunity (learning wine making)
• Quality time in beautiful setting
• Something to build together beyond holidays

Cultural & Social Capital

• Napa Valley cachet (prestigious wine region)
• Conversation topic (wine expertise and business)
• Entertainment capability (hosting with own wines)
• Network building (wine industry connections)
• Sophisticated hobby elevated to business

Legacy Building

• Asset to pass down to next generation
• Family tradition in the making
• Business skills passed to children (Nicholas, Ryan, Samantha)
• Shared memories created through wine activities
• Entrepreneurial example for grandchildren

Work-Life Integration

Warren and Rose demonstrate:

• Balancing demanding careers with family business
• Pursuing passions beyond professional obligations
• Including family in entrepreneurial ventures
• Building together as couple and parents

Connection to Family Values

Education & Excellence

• Learning about wine making and appreciation (knowledge acquisition)
• Developing expertise (Rose as connoisseur)
• Teaching next generation (family involvement)

Entrepreneurship

• Taking business risk while maintaining careers
• Building something independently
• Following Jesse Chan’s entrepreneurial model

Family Cohesion

• Regular gatherings in wine country
• Shared activity across generations
• Creating traditions and memories

Cultural Sophistication

• Wine appreciation as cultural pursuit
• Fine dining experiences (Ad Hoc, etc.)
• Napa/Sonoma as destinations (not just business)

Future

Succession Questions

• Will Nicholas, Ryan, or Samantha take over operation?
• Is business being built to pass down?
• Or primarily for Warren and Rose’s generation?

Expansion Possibilities

• Growing production?
• Adding tasting room?
• Expanding distribution?
• Or remaining small family operation?

Integration with Next Generation

• Partners (Graham, Drew, Cammie) already participating
• Next generation developing wine knowledge
• Possible future involvement as co-owners/managers

Comparison to Jesse Chan’s Businesses

Similarities

Cardinal Rule Wines (Warren & Rose):

• Entrepreneurial venture while having other careers
• Family involvement in business
• Multiple business/professional roles simultaneously
• Building something independently

Jesse’s Taiwan Businesses:

• Multiple ventures (nightclub, real estate, bakery)
• Family involvement (Betty managed bakery)
• Building businesses while raising family
• Entrepreneurial risk-taking

Differences

Context:

• Cardinal Rule: supplemental to professional careers
• Jesse’s ventures: primary income source

Scale:

• Cardinal Rule: boutique family operation
• Jesse’s ventures: employed workers, larger operations

Timing:

• Cardinal Rule: established professionals starting business
• Jesse’s ventures: career transition from employee to owner

Shared Values

Both demonstrate:

• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Family involvement in business
• Willingness to take risks
• Building something beyond employment
• Work ethic and dedication

In the Newsletter (2021)

References to Cardinal Rule Wines activities:

• March: Napa Valley wine weekend - wine blending at Conn Creek, dinner at Ad Hoc
• September: Sonoma with friends and family
• October: Napa for Sammy’s birthday
• Throughout: References to Rose as wine connoisseur
• 2020 wildfires mentioned as challenge overcome

The business clearly central to family’s lifestyle and activities.

Research Questions

• When exactly was Cardinal Rule Wines founded?
• What is production volume?
• What varietals/wines are produced?
• Is there a physical tasting room?
• Who manages day-to-day operations?
• Revenue/business model details?
• How much time do Warren and Rose dedicate?
• Specific wildfire damage and recovery?
• Plans for succession/next generation involvement?
• How did name “Cardinal Rule” originate?
• Awards or recognition received?
• Distribution channels (direct, retail, restaurants)?
• Other business partners besides Warren and Rose?
• How involved are Nicholas, Ryan, and Samantha?
• Connection to Conn Creek (custom crush client? partnership?)

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Cardinal Rule Wines represents Warren and Rose Loui’s entrepreneurial venture and serves as a focal point for multi-generational family gatherings, continuing the family tradition of business ownership while building new traditions around wine appreciation.