Our Story
Mike Pickett & Rachel Schutz
Greetings from the vineyard! As of January 2026- Three Oaks Vineyard is under new ownership: owned and operated by Mike Pickett and Rachel Schutz of Clovis, CA. The couple was fortunate enough to purchase the winery from Steve and Vicki Shoemaker and are very eager and excited to continue this wonderful couple's legacy here in the Central Valley.
About Mike- Local to the Valley, Mike was born in Fresno, CA. He grew up right here in the area attending Bullard High School, before moving on to Fresno State. Mike pursued a career in Commercial Construction, taking over a design, build firm his Father started in the 80's specializing in building custom, unique buildings for local businesses. Mike is also the founder and President of Pickett Solar which specializes in custom designed commercial solar projects. When not working, Mike loves to spend time with his family, travel, watch football, listen to podcasts, exercise, and drink wine (and whiskey) of course!
About Rachel- Born and raised in the countryside of Clovis, CA. Rachel comes from a wonderful family with strong ties to the community. Her father is a Podiatrist with a long standing practice of over 40 years and her mother was a teacher here in the Valley. She graduated from Clovis High and later attended Fresno State, before creating her Nanny Agency, Stressed Mamas, here in Fresno, CA. When not working, she loves to cook, bake, travel, care for animals, host and bring people together through fun events-- and drink wine of course!
Mike and Rachel know they have large shoes to fill and are entering into a world carefully curated by Steve and Vicki. They have spent every minute possible with the fabulous couple, helping bottle and label wines, to learn all they can before Steve and Vicki depart to Virginia! They fully intend to honor and respect their legacy while reopening the winery and infusing new ideas simultaneously. We hope you love the fresh changes they bring to the winery!
The History of Our Winery:
Steve and Vicki Shoemaker both grew up in the Fresno area, and after being gone because of Steve's military career for over 20 years, came back to the area to be closer to his mom in 2005. Steve's background as a Green Beret and Counter-Terrorism expert had him spending many years overseas and allowed him to travel the world; but after retiring there was a need for a place of solace and mending, which they have found at their current property, 3 Oaks Vineyard.
After much deliberation on what to plant on their newly acquired land, during a family trip to California Adventure in Disneyland, Steve wandered into the Napa Valley exhibit and said "I know what we are going to plant!", as he pointed to the grape vines. In 2007, after many wine-filled discussions, they cleared the 100+ aging almond trees on their new property and 3 Oaks Vineyard was born.
Steve had a background in agriculture and biology before entering the Army, so his wines were pretty good right away, but when he completed his Post Graduate Winemaking Certificate from UC Davis, his wines jumped in quality substantially. As a result, his first wine, "Wine Stalker", submitted to the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition, won a Silver Medal, and then in 2020, Escape and Faith were submitted, winning bronze and silver medals. So, far 3 for 3 is not bad for a "micro-winery", from Clovis in the Central Valley. The list keeps growing each year as well!
What is significant about 3 Oaks Vineyard, it was decided early on that the focus would be on authenticity. This is expressed by ecologically caring for the land and what it produces and creating authentic wines without additives, just real good wine for real good people.
The grapes produced in the deep sand on the back of the property contain a "mineral" component, while the grapes from the sandy loam in the front of the vineyard create smooth flavorful wines. There is an excitement to discover what the sandy-clay in the newer front vineyard will create. The land is treated with respect by using exclusively "sustainable farming practices". In practice, Steve enjoys the excitement of what each year's vintage will create and what the wines will become in the barrels.
They sold the winery in 2026 to Mike and Rachel are excited to see what they create in the coming years!
Cheers!
-Steve and Vicki
