Making wine along the beautiful Central California coast seemed like a distant dream when Deb Stilson first imagined it. But a leap of faith and a lot of hard work have turned that vision into an exciting new career and lifestyle.
At Stilson Cellars, family is at the heart of everything they do. As the surviving spouse of 3rd generation LAFD Fire Captain II Sean P. Stilson, Deb says the compassion and support of people such as Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund board member Rick Godinez, who also was head chaplain at the time of Sean’s passing, made a big difference. She is extremely grateful for the kindness of her late husband’s colleagues, especially Captain Tony Navarro. As she moves into this new adventure, Deb says she and her sons and co-founders, Cole and Tyler (a 4th generation LAFD firefighter), have grown even closer through the new vineyard.
The family is proud to own and operate Stilson Cellars in Paso Robles, California. Watch as the three of them explain how they did it and invite everyone to enjoy a glass of their latest vintage.
About our Firefighter Charity
For the brave men and women of the LAFD, should anything ever happen to them during a lifetime of service, the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund is here to fulfill their needs. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity founded more than a century ago, our organization is dedicated to helping the families of LAFD firefighters facing a serious crisis, such as being injured or killed in the line of duty. Thanks to kind and generous contributions, the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund makes a significant impact, providing assistance with basic living expenses, health insurance premiums, durable medical equipment, and awarding memorial scholarships to children of firefighters who died while active duty.The needs of firefighters are unique because the profession poses many dangers and consequences. Thanks to our many kind and generous donors, firefighters and their spouses and children may receive many valuable benefits and services as they face a difficult or devastating crisis.
