Mitchell Katz is a survivor. He launched his eponymous winery in Livermore Valley in 1998 and four years later moved into the historic Ruby Hill tasting room, a massive yet beautiful old brick building that dates back to 1887. In 2012 Mitch was basically forced to buy out his business partner in the winery, and left to find a new home for his winery and tasting room. He had challenges securing building loans for his first chosen location, then met some community opposition opening his current location.