Donelan Wines - Wine is a Journey!

Cushing Donelan doesn’t take the conventional route—he creates his own. As the Director of Marketing at Donelan Family Wines, he brings a rich tapestry of experiences spanning art, film, and entertainment into the heart of Sonoma winemaking. With a background in art history and studio art, time spent behind the scenes in Hollywood as Executive Assistant to Matthew McConaughey, and ongoing work as a producer with one in a row productions, Cushing’s journey is as layered and expressive as a well-crafted Pinot. But it’s not just storytelling on screen that captures his imagination—it’s the narrative inside every bottle. Stepping into the family business with sleeves rolled up and vision wide open, Cushing saw an opportunity to evolve the Donelan brand, merging creative innovation with old-world winemaking values. At Donelan Family Wines, nestled in Santa Rosa, the team is small but mighty, producing world-class Syrah, Grenache, Chardonnay, and more—always putting flavor and craftsmanship first. In this interview with Delivery Rank, Cushing shares how he blends creativity and legacy, what it means to market authenticity, and why, when it comes to wine, the story is just as important as the taste.

How has your background in art and entertainment shaped the storytelling and branding behind Donelan Family Wines?

I was involved in the entertainment business, developing TV and film projects. What I enjoyed about that work was the fact that every day brought new challenges and obstacles. I loved the process of getting the job done and putting everything together.

Transitioning into the wine business has felt quite similar, especially when it comes to storytelling and branding. In both industries, you're working with a carefully crafted product—something that requires a great deal of time, energy, and thought. But when it’s time to unveil and sell it, the question becomes: how do you communicate that message to the customer? How do you infuse a sense of romance and narrative into it?

I see strong parallels between the two fields. In both, you're constantly performing, pitching, and promoting. The beauty in wine, however, is that Mother Nature helps write the script. Each vintage brings something new, and the challenge is to tune into that, craft compelling stories, and create meaningful connections that highlight the dedication and hard work behind every bottle.

I find the two industries complementary. I enjoy the wine business because, just like entertainment, every day and every event is different—something new unfolds right in front of you. For me, it's been a lot of fun, and I’m grateful to bring that background into this new chapter.

Donelan prioritizes quality over quantity. How do you balance that philosophy with the pressures of scaling a luxury wine brand in a competitive market?

It's challenging. We are a family business that has been around for over 25 years. My father started the business, and his guiding principle has always been quality over quantity—prioritizing consistency in materials, talent, hard work, and everything that goes into our wines.

When you're building for scale and volume, I think you inevitably face some tough crossroads. You may be forced to compromise—whether that’s on control or on quality—and we've just never subscribed to that approach.

Now that my brother and I represent the second generation in the business, we do have aspirations to scale. But it’s a competitive market, and right now, it’s especially challenging. So, our main focus is on overdelivering for the customers we do have and turning them into brand ambassadors. We want them to share their experience—the quality of our wines and the accessible price point—with their friends and colleagues.

At the end of the day, you have to stick to your principles and stay true to what you set out to do. I always say, put on blinders like a racehorse so you don’t get distracted or tripped up.

Can you walk us through a moment where your creative instincts led to a breakthrough in how Donelan connects with its audience—whether through design, partnerships, or events?

I mean, as a millennial, we're always looking for outside-the-box ideas and fresh perspectives. One thing I've always enjoyed is finding different ways to partner or collaborate with friends or people I've met along the way who have other lifestyle businesses—whether it’s in cars, fashion, or other areas. I'm always exploring ways to enjoy wine in more unconventional settings—not just at traditional wine tastings or pairing events.

I’ve found that wine pairs naturally with outdoor activities—whether it's sports or recreation—because it enhances the overall experience. It’s about making connections and hopefully creating lasting memories for people.

I always try to explore new ideas for collaboration, whether it's with other producers or through our own initiatives. One example that stands out is from about four or five years ago during COVID, when everything was shut down. A few wineries in Sonoma, including us, came together to launch what we called the Sonoma Socially Distanced Wine Tour.

We travelled to states like Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana—places with beautiful landscapes and wide open spaces—where we could safely host outdoor tastings. We held events in the middle of open fields or at the base of Teton Village in Jackson Hole. It was a great success and a wonderful way to adapt to the environment while connecting with new people and creating meaningful stories and memories.

Those moments are definitely highlights—and it’s those types of creative, outside-the-box ideas that I’m always looking for.

Private tastings are a hallmark of Donelan—what makes a tasting experience truly memorable or transformative in your view?

I think the one-on-one experience is definitely a hallmark of Donelan. We often say we make more "thinking wines" as opposed to "drinking wines." That means, yes, they can certainly be enjoyed in a casual or cocktail setting, but the real magic happens in a more intimate, focused environment—where the experience becomes transformative.

What makes our tastings unique is that it’s always a Donelan family member or our winemaker, David, leading the experience. You have the opportunity to taste wines comparatively in a quiet, relaxed setting. This allows guests to truly discern the different notes, elements, and characteristics of each wine.

Tasting wines side by side helps people understand subtle differences and develop a deeper appreciation. It also gives them take-home knowledge that sticks with them long after the tasting.

Another reason our tastings are so memorable is the diversity of our offerings. We have many different bottlings and varietals—whether it's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, and now even Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This range allows for a beautiful progression from whites to medium-bodied reds to full-bodied reds, taking guests on a journey through different regions of Sonoma.

It creates a full 360-degree experience that’s hard to replicate elsewhere, and I believe that's what truly makes it so special.

If Donelan wines were a soundtrack, what kind of music would capture the essence of each varietal?

This is a hard question because, as I just rattled off all these different grapes, it’s tough to choose. But I think the whole portfolio can be described like a big, sweeping, blockbuster movie soundtrack—maybe something out of a Christopher Nolan film with a Hans Zimmer score. That kind of music speaks to you emotionally.

They always say scary movies wouldn’t be scary without the music, and I think music plays a huge role in conjuring up emotion. If I had to drill down into varietals, I’d say:

Chardonnay, to me, feels like '70s disco dance music—bubbly, joyous, full of warmth and energy.

Syrah is always a paradox. It’s like classical music mixed with heavy metal. It has structure and elegance, but there are also these primal, guttural sensations you get from drinking it. That’s what makes it so unique, though sometimes confusing for consumers.

Pinot Noir reminds me of jazz. And jazz can be either really good or really bad—which mirrors Pinot. It’s a finicky grape and very difficult to master, but when it’s done right, it’s beautiful and kind of magnificent.

Wine has been around for thousands of years. As producers, we see it as essential. It’s interesting—wine has never been better in terms of how it’s made and the overall quality, yet it sometimes feels like it’s not as celebrated or appreciated as it once was. That may be due to cultural shifts or other reasons.

But if you care about human connection, relationships, friendships, learning new things, and staying curious, then wine is essential. It’s something to seek out. It doesn’t have to be $100 a bottle—there’s quality at every price point.

Wine teaches you about history, culture, and people from places you may never have visited—or may never visit. But you can still be transported there through a bottle of wine. That’s what makes it so cool and unique—it's truly the most distinctive beverage out there. You can’t quite get that same experience from a can of soda or a beer.

So to anyone reading this: keep discovering new wines, keep talking about them, sharing them, and enjoying them. Thank you so much for reaching out and putting a spotlight on Donelan Wines. Come visit us, check out our website, try the wines—we’d love to connect with you.

To read more about Donelan Wines, please visit https://www.donelanwines.com/