Dominic Foppoli

Foppoli's family has been involved in the wine industry since 1906, when his grandfather emigrated from Italy to California and started making wine.

Foppoli has also worked in real estate and operated a wine export business, the latter operated with his older brother.

He was named one of North Bay Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" for his work in the wine industry.

Dominic Foppoli (born May 22, 1982) is an American politician and businessperson.

He graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in 2000.

In 2002, Foppoli briefly lived in Los Angeles where he pursued a career in acting.

He attended Dominican University, where he was a member of the Young Republicans club.

In 2003, Foppoli announced his candidacy for California State Assembly.

His campaign website featured him shaking hands with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Foppoli ran in the primary against rancher Ray Tyrone.

During the election, Foppoli's campaign promoted numerous unfounded claims about Tyrone, including operating an illegal bar in Cloverdale, theft, and clearcutting.

Foppoli lost the Republican primary.

The following year, he attended the 2004 Republican National Convention as a delegate for the state of California and, in 2005, he was named second vice chairman of the Sonoma County Republican Party's executive committee.

He was the youngest person to ever hold the position.

While attending Dominican University, Foppoli became involved in the Marin County Republican Party and the university's Young Republicans club.

He helped the County party raise funds, promote get out the vote efforts, and maintain its office in 2004 and 2005.

He graduated from Dominican with a bachelor's degree in politics in 2005.

Foppoli completed his Master of Business Administration with a concentration on wine business from Sonoma State University.

Foppoli works for three wineries, all owned and operated by the Foppoli family.

As of April 1, he served as general manager at Foppoli Wines, president of Benevelo Wines.

He also co-owns Christopher Creek Winery in Healdsburg, California.

Foppoli, his siblings, and other partners, purchased Christopher Creek winery in 2012.

That same year, he opened Old Redwood Brewing Co., in Windsor, with several partners.

He is the former Mayor of Windsor, California, a position he held from December 2018 until May 2021.

Between April and May 2021, numerous women made sexual abuse and assault allegations against Foppoli dating back to 2002.

Foppoli, who denies wrongdoing, is currently under investigation by the Attorney General of California.

He is also under investigation for possible campaign finance violations by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Foppoli initially refused to resign from office, causing a recall campaign to be launched in April 2021; he subsequently resigned on May 21, 2021.

In August 2021, Foppoli filed paperwork with intent to run for Mayor of Windsor for the November 2022 election, which he ultimately lost.

Foppoli is of Italian heritage.

His family is from Tovo di Sant'Agata in Lombardy.

His great-grandfather moved from Italy to the United States over 100 years ago.

Foppoli was born and raised in Sonoma County, California, living mainly in the Windsor, California community for his adult life.

Foppoli has three siblings.

As a child, he worked as a busboy at a family-owned restaurant.

At age sixteen, he worked at Windsor Waterworks.

In 2018, Foppoli and brewery business partner Clay Fritz, entered into a partnership with Jean-Charles Boisset to reopen the brewery as Windsor Brewing Co. The new brewery never opened.

In 2020, Foppoli invested in Whitestar Security Group, a Santa Rosa-based security firm.

The company stopped operations in 2021 after losing lucrative contracts following accusations against Foppoli of sexual assault and harassment.

Foppoli also served as chief executive officer of Christopher Creek Winery until he was asked to step down by his brother in the wake of sexual assault and abuse allegations in April 2021.