About
Stepping off the treadmill.
Why we're here
What fuels our spirit of resistance.
Have you ever dreamed of stepping off the treadmill and choosing passion over momentum? That's exactly what Kimberly and Kirk did when they founded Resistance Wine Company.
Kimberly caught the wine bug while living in Chile as a college student and carried it back to Washington, D.C., where she met Kirk. Through tastings, travel, and unforgettable experiences in places like Tuscany, Chile, and Napa, Kirk fell in love with wine — the places it comes from, the conversations it sparks, and the life built around it. That shared love, and a desire to define success on their own terms, fueled their spirit of resistance.
Kimberly began making wine in the basement of their family home while Kirk — an entrepreneur and author — built the business behind the dream. In 2016 they moved their three young children to Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley, and in 2024 opened their downtown Ashland tasting room. After re-educating herself in chemistry and winemaking at UC Davis (and surviving a crash course in plumbing), Kimberly returned to winemaking — this time on her own terms.
— Kimberly Drake · Winemaker · Co-founder
Wine, with intention
Minimally invasive. Low intervention. The land does the talking.
Kimberly's wines are made with a minimally invasive philosophy — intervening only when the wine needs it, never for convenience, and always with deep respect for the land. People are prioritized over machines, manipulation is avoided, and each vintage is allowed to speak for itself.
The Rogue Valley's diversity encourages experimentation — and no two wines, or years, are ever quite the same. We farm with growers we've known longer than we've made wine. We pick on flavor, not on Brix tables. We bottle when the wine's ready, not when the warehouse calendar says.
Every bottle of Resistance Wine is an invitation. An invitation to slow down, gather, and remember what matters. With each glass, you support farming, craftsmanship, and a life lived with passion, care, and intention.
Pour a glass. Share a bottle. Join the resistance.
Meet the founding resistors.
Kimberly Drake
Co-founder · Winemaker · Chief Introvert
Hooked on wine while living in Chile as a college student. Practiced law in the DC area while sneaking in tastings, travels to international wine regions, the WSET program, and home winemaking. Worked with the winemaking teams at 2Hawk and Barrel 42 in Oregon while studying chemistry at Oregon State and completing UC Davis's winemaking certificate program.
Kirk Drake
Co-founder · Chief Extrovert
Lifelong entrepreneur and author. Created multiple successful businesses, starting with founding a high school bank. Moved his family from DC to Southern Oregon in 2016 so Kimberly could pursue her passion. Still runs ongoingoperations.com, cu-2.com, and others from Ashland while learning the wine business. Often dons his farmer's hat — though, by his own admission, a lousy farmer.
Lin Stone
Tasting Room & Events Manager · Sommelier
Grew up on Mount Hood studying classical ballet and acting; fell in love with the service industry early on. Moved to Ashland to study Environmental Science and Policy at SOU and dug into Viticulture, Geology, Soil Sciences, and Wildfire Ecology. Don't ask them about rocks unless you're ready to have a 30-minute conversation about sandy loam. A passionate advocate for queer visibility and inclusion in our industry.
Chris McKean
O.H.B. · Event Coordinator · Tasting Ambassador
Made his move from the SF Bay Area 13 years ago and quickly planted deep roots in this community he now proudly calls home. Proud dad of three and a brand-new grandpa. Coached AHS Varsity Baseball and SOU softball. Devoted vinyl collector. Our 2018 Malbec and 2024 Chenin Blanc have completely stolen his heart.