Tim’s pioneering work as an arborist and horticultural expert resulted in his mastery of a unique specialty: successfully moving and re-establishing very large, old trees. Known worldwide for his work with heritage trees, Tim consults today as a Supreme Court Certified Expert Witness in horticulture and construction. He also addresses professional groups, such as the Green Industry Expo. “I can save many more big trees by teaching other people how to safely work around them,” says Tim.
One day, while living in New York State, Tim took inventory of his successes and concluded that his life’s work had helped other people realize their dreams and fantasies. He then set out to build on his own vision: “ To reunite our extended family on several hundred acres of land where we can grow something.” It took four years, visits to ranches across the U.S. and repeated due diligence before Tim and his brother Tom found La Ribera Vineyard, one of Mendocino County’s finest properties. The Thornhill family purchased the ranch in 2002; by the end of the year, Tim, his wife Roselle and their son Tyler moved to La Ribera. Six months later, parents Tommy and Ann Thornhill relocated here from Houston. Kate, Tim’s daughter, followed soon after. Brother Tom and family, involved in both the vineyard and Mendocino Wine Company, split their time between their home in Marin County and the ranch.
Tim views Mendocino County as a great, undiscovered land where history, agriculture, fresh air, natural beauty and warm-spirited people create a comfortable lifestyle. Tim has a passion for changing other people’s perceptions, and his goal is to raise the value of Mendocino grapes, making farming more profitable and the vineyards more valuable than other kinds of land development.
“I see Parducci and Mendocino Wine Company as a way for Paul, Tom and me to work together to benefit the community while improving things environmentally,” says Tim. The goals of the three men and their families align: build community, expand the business opportunities and safeguard the environment. Each of the partners has a specialty. Tim is in charge of day-to-day operations, redevelopment of the old Parducci winery and community relations. He spends time each day in the winery’s historic tasting room. Captivated by the history of the old Parducci facility, Tim is collecting and archiving old winery equipment, photos and other records from the past.
Using his vast experience as an innovative landscaper, Tim has designed wetlands and ponds to recycle all winery waste water. “Reduce use and re-use are where I begin. We are so careful about paper here at Parducci, we even recycle our recycled paper. Now we need to focus on water.”
To realize the company’s goal of enhancing the recognition and perception of Mendocino County wines, Tim spearheaded the development of the Mendocino Winegrape & Wine Commission. This organization, approved by industry vote, assesses growers and vintners, raising funds to promote the reputation of grapes and wines from the county.
Visionary Tim Thornhill is sensitive to being a newcomer in a region where third and fourth generations farm their family vineyards. The newly arrived Thornhill family has a motto: leave it better than you found it. They are sinking their roots deep in Mendocino County and proving their commitment to the community and environment, and demonstrating their confidence in the area’s economic potential. 
Media Contact: Jan Mettler
707.433.5846
jan@bossdogmarketing.com
