Prominent men in Sonoma, Napa counties named in leaked roster for secretive Bohemian Grove encampment

But it has local faces, too, as revealed in the recent publication of the San Francisco club’s leaked membership for its 2023 encampment.

The list was obtained and posted in late February by Daniel Boguslaw, an investigative reporter who has written for The Intercept, the New Republic and other publications. It’s not the first time a Bohemian Grove list has dropped, but this one caused an immediate sensation. It has been reprinted and analyzed by a cavalcade of media outlets.

“The Bohemian Club is a private organization,” said Sam Singer, a spokesman for the organization. “As such, the club does not disclose nor confirm the names of members and guests.”

The Press Democrat confirmed the list’s authenticity.

Prominent names are as varied as documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, now-deceased former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, late recording star Jimmy Buffett, billionaires Michael Bloomberg and Charles Koch, talk show host Conan O’Brien, Oakland A’s owner John Fisher and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

The interest sparked by the recent leak has much to do with the mystique of Bohemian Grove, an exclusive gathering within the club’s 2,700-acre forest property that continues to be held in deep suspicion by its detractors.

A video posted by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in 2000 suggested dark, almost satanic rituals. Protestors who have occasionally gathered at the gates tend to focus more on the potential for backroom geopolitical or economic bargains — and the fact that, even in 2026, women are barred from the club and grove, except for employees.

Some insiders have described the July encampment, dating back to the 1870s, as little more than a two-week frolic in the redwoods, a chummy celebration of good food and the arts. But members add to the intrigue by practicing strict secrecy.

The group’s oft-referenced motto, “Weaving spiders come not here” — drawn from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” — urges members to leave the world of work behind. But it might apply just as aptly to the shroud of secrecy that surrounds the event.

Like a Fight Club for the elite, the first rule of Bohemian Grove is not to talk about Bohemian Grove.

The Press Democrat attempted to reach a number of attendees named in the leaked list. Those who picked up the phone politely declined to talk about their affiliation.

“That’s not how this works,” one said.

“If I did that, I’d probably be in deep sh-t,” said another.

So, what draws prominent local figures to the Bohemian Grove year after year, or what they take from it, remains unsaid. But the leaked list provides a more comprehensive picture of who those men are. The Press Democrat combed the 1,900-person list and identified dozens with strong ties to Sonoma and Napa counties, cross-referencing the names with known addresses, biographical material and a sortable database created by Benchoff Design.

The roster is dominated by wine industry scions, but also includes a tuba player, a safari organizer, a former California state senator, a sculptor, and the actor who for many years played Ronald McDonald.

Names appear as they do in the leaked list:

Alexander Armstead: Petaluma-based music education and educational tech worker.

Paul Andrew Asmuth: Founder of the Napa Valley Reserve, a private winegrowing estate and club, and a champion marathon swimmer.

John Maturin Ballachey: Insurance agent formerly based in Healdsburg.

John G. Balletto: Founder and owner of Balletto Vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

Jesse M. Bradman: Petaluma resident, real estate investor and president of KickPort International, a drum and percussion accessories company.

Hans D. Brightbill: Cellist for the Sonoma County Philharmonic.

William Wiman Brinton: Co-founder of Charles Creek Winery in Sonoma, which was shuttered in 2014. Also a great-great-grandson of tractor magnate John Deere.

Christopher Parsons Browne: Investment advisor who maintained a Healdsburg address for more than 15 years.

Timothy Otis Browne: Long-time Sonoma County real estate agent.

James T. Bundschu: Fourth-generation grape grower credited with reinventing the then-dormant Gundlach Bundschu Winery in the early 1970s.

Mario Anthony Chiodo: Noted sculptor with a studio in Napa.

Evan Craves: Former Santa Rosa resident and concertmaster of American Philharmonic Sonoma County.

Philip K. Claypool: Country-Western recording artist with three studio albums to his name; has maintained a home in Calistoga.

William H. Dodd: Lifelong Napa resident who represented the area in the California Senate from 2016-2024, and before that the state Assembly and Napa County Board of Supervisors. Now a legislative strategist.

E. Michael Downer: Vice chairman of the Mechanics Bank board, lived in Napa for two decades before moving to Arizona in 2021.

Paul A. Downey: Pepperwood Preserve board member, former Santa Rosa Symphony board member and longtime Sonoma County resident.

Daniel J. Duckhorn: Co-founder of Duckhorn Vineyards in St. Helena. Dubbed “Mr. Merlot” by the New York Times, he died in February. Headed the board of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, Napa Valley Wine Auction and other organizations.

Herbert M. Dwight Jr.: Co-founder of Pepperwood Preserve in the Mayacamas Mountains, and chairman of the nature preserve’s foundation. Former board member for Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Justin M. Faggioli: Former executive VP for Ravenswood Winery, manages family ranches and vineyards in Sonoma County.

Squire Fridell: Former actor who played Ronald McDonald in commercials for seven years. He co-owns GlenLyons Vineyards and Winery in Glen Ellen, where he lives.

Clayton Blauer Fritz: President and owner of Fritz Underground Winery in Dry Creek Valley.

Launce E. Gamble: Part of a prominent Napa County ranching family who once owned the Knoxville Mine. Lived in Oakville until he died in February 2025.

Launce L. Gamble: Son of Launce E. Gamble and a Napa vineyard owner.

Richard E. Garlinghouse Jr.: Co-founder of The Presidio Group, an automotive investment banking firm, who retired to St. Helena.

Nolan Gasser: Composer, pianist, former chief musicologist for Pandora Media and architect of the Music Genome Project. He lives in Petaluma.

Greenlaw “Fritz” Grupe Jr.: Founder of the Stockton-based Grupe Company, which is partnering in an attempt to redevelop the Sonoma Developmental Center in Glen Ellen.

Ted W. Hall: Co-founder of Long Meadow Ranch in Napa Valley, and former chairman of the Robert Mondavi Corporation during its merger with wine giant Constellation Brands.

Dirk Hampson: Co-owner of Far Niente Winery in Oakville, and the label’s “director of winemaking emeritus.”

Henry Hansel: Prominent local philanthropist and president of Hansel Auto Group, Sonoma County’s largest constellation of car dealerships, with lots in Santa Rosa and Petaluma.

Stephen E. Hansel: Longtime Sonoma County winegrower and restaurateur — via Walter Hansel Bistro, named after his dad — and brother of Henry.

H. William Harlan: Founder and chairman of exclusive Napa Valley winery Harlan Estate, and developer of Meadowood Resort.

Mickey Hart: Grateful Dead drummer and longtime Occidental resident.

Austin E. Hills: Heir to the Hills Brothers Coffee empire who founded Grgich Hills Winery in Rutherford along with Mike Grgich.

Kent S. Imrie: Current or former owner of MIV Insurance in Napa, which was co-founded by his great-grandfather. Past Napa Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

N.W. “Bill” Jasper Jr.: Former president and CEO of Dolby Laboratories, and part of the Sonoma Media Investments ownership group, parent company of The Press Democrat from 2012 to 2025.

Bradford Jeffries: Venture capital attorney and investor who retired to St. Helena and developed a vineyard there. He died in 2023.

Reverdy Johnson: Napa County attorney involved in the creation of Turnbull Wine Cellars in Oakville.

Charles Parker Karren: Co-founder and part owner of both Terra de Promissio vineyard outside Petaluma, and its bottled product, Land of Promise Wine. Sonoma County Wine Grape Foundation board member.

Jeffrey Kimball: Director and board president of the Petaluma-based nonprofit Point Blue Conservation Science, dedicated to wildlife and ecosystem preservation.

Thomas B. Klein: Owner of Rodney Strong Winery in Healdsburg since 1989, founder of ROWEN Wine Company and a former Sonoma County Winegrowers board member.

Kevin Patrick Kress: Former owner of the Reel & Brand restaurant in Sonoma, where he grew up.

Miles C. MacDonnell: Owner and CEO of Round Pond Estate in Rutherford.

Victor Ottavio Marcelli: Santa Rosa artist and graphic designer best known for his oil paintings.

Rodman J. Marymor: Founder and president of Music in Place, a Sonoma organization that presents free and accessible live performances.

Nion T. McEvoy: Owner and CEO of McEvoy Ranch, the Petaluma olive oil purveyor that has also branched out to skin care and culinary products.

James McNab III: Santa Rosa-based real estate attorney.

Michael Mondavi: Co-founder and chairman of Folio Fine Wine Partners and owner of Michael Mondavi Family Estate. Son of Napa Valley wine legend Robert Mondavi; chaired the family corporation from 2001-2004.

Robert Michael Mondavi Jr.: Co-founded Folio Fine Wine Partners with his father, Michael. Grandson of Robert Mondavi. Napa Valley Cannabis Association board member.

John Morgan Nees: Founding partner of the Getty Land Company who also co-founded, with now-Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gordon Getty, Plump Jack Winery in Oakville in 1995.

Jeffrey Bryan O’Neill: Founder and CEO of O’Neill Vintners & Distillers and, locally, owner and co-founder of the Ram’s Gate Sonoma winery.

John R. Pelkan: Knights Valley vineyard owner/operator who lived in Calistoga for three decades before his death in 2024.

William Stanley Price III: Attorney and businessman who owns Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma and notable vineyards around the county, as well as a partial interest in Kistler Vineyards.

Thomas C. Reed: Former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force (1976-1977) who lived in Sonoma County for years and co-founded Clos Du Bois winery in Geyserville in 1974. He died in 2024.

Floyd Reinhart: Tuba player actively involved in the Sonoma County Philharmonic, and director of IT at AccountMate, a software company based in Petaluma.

Mark Eugene Rennick: Owner and president of Prairie Sun Recording for a half-century. The residential recording studio in Cotati has produced the likes of Tom Waits, Van Morrison and Nine Inch Nails.

Scott F. Schadlich: Healdsburg-based president of Next Investments, a real estate investment company, and former COO of the Airport Business Center in Santa Rosa.

Steve P. Smit: Owner of Healdsburg-based Wine Ag Ventures, former vice president of both Constellation Brands and Clos Du Bois winery.

Justin Hunnicutt Stephens: Managing partner of Stephens Family Wines and co-owner of HUNNICUTT winery, both located near St. Helena.

Jeff Streblow: Napa native whose family helped fund Queen of the Valley Hospital (now Medical Center).

Walter H. Sullivan III: Great-grandson of Georges and Fernande de Latour, founders of historic Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford.

W. Clarke Swanson: Founder and former owner of Swanson Vineyards in Oakville. Former director of the Napa Valley Vintners Association and chairman of the Oakville Winegrowers Association.

David Tett: Founder of Healdsburg-based Bushtracks Expeditions, which guides luxury African safaris. He lives in Healdsburg as well.

John P. Thacher: Agricultural and chemical executive who served 25 years as president of Cuvaison Winery in Napa. Former board member of Napa Valley Vintners and Di Rosa Preserve.

Victor S. Trione: Santa Rosa entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Luther Burbank Savings in 1983 and chaired the Luther Burbank Corporation until 2024. Co-owns Trione Vineyards & Winery. Son of the late Santa Rosa financier and philanthropist Henry Trione.

Edward James Wallis: Owner of Wallis Family Estate near Calistoga. The company began bottling its own wine in 2006 after selling grapes to other producers for a decade.

Jeffrey Earl Warren: St. Helena real estate professional who specializes in vineyards and winery properties. Also the great-grandson of Earl Warren, governor of California (1943-1953) and chief justice of the United States (1953-1969).

You can reach Phil Barber at 707-521-5263 or phil.barber@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @Skinny_Post.