Thirty years later, their four children raised and eleven grandchildren now in the family, Brooks and Kate are ready to embark on new challenges.

For two terms (1994 – 1998) Brooks Firestone served as a member of the State Assembly, representing the 35th District. The district stretched from the northern end of the Santa Ynez Valley (Los Alamos) to include all of the cities of Ventura, Ojai, and Santa Paula in Ventura County.

Firestone brought a background and level of experience never seen before in the area. Brooks worked in corporate America, raised a family, and established a successful small business in the tradition of the American entrepreneur.

After serving his country as a medic in the United States Army, Brooks attended Columbia University where he earned his B. A. degree in economics.

In 1961, Brooks graduated from Columbia University and joined the family business – Firestone Tire and Rubber, which was founded by his grandfather, Harvey Firestone.

After successfully serving as a Director for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Great Britain, where he was responsible for original equipment, industrial products, and export, Brooks decided it was time to break out on his own.

He and Kate moved their young family to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1972. There they established the San Antonio Ranch and the Firestone Vineyard. Brooks and Kate helped transform the Central Coast into one of the most respected and award-winning wine producing regions in the world. There are more than 35 wineries and thousands of jobs in the industry on the Central Coast today because of Firestone’s efforts.

Today Brooks is known as an innovator and respected leader in the wine industry. Los Angeles Times Magazine said Brooks is “the man who finally put Southern California on the world wine map”.