What an incredible year we had. The pictures are from the well over 100 events we poured at throughout the last 12 months. As we close out 2025 and step into 2026, we raise our hands in gratitude. Native Hands is built on relationship, loyalty, and real face-to-face connection—from Santa Barbara to San Diego and throughout Native Country. We are thankful for the incredible retailers, restaurants, and chefs who continue to stand with us and share our story. At our core, Native Hands carries a responsibility to be a messenger—reclaiming and honoring the history of the Mission Indians as the first winemakers of Alta California. We especially honor the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, and all Mission Tribes, whose cultural connections guide this path. Mission San Juan Capistrano remains a place of origin and remembrance in that viticulture history. Deep gratitude to Native Star of San Diego, Wine Enthusiasts Magazine, FNX, and Indian Country Today (ICT) for helping build real relationships, elevate Native voices, and open doors across Native Country for Native Hands. We move into 2026 with purpose, responsibility, and gratitude—together. #nativeamerican #redwine #sandiego #pasorobles #santabarbarawinecountry
I am honored to be included in this Wine Enthusiast article (link in bio). There are only a handful of indigenous wine producers in the country, and I’m proud to be recognized among them. With this acknowledgment comes a responsibility I deeply embrace, which is the foundation of the project; reclaiming and restoring the true history of my people as the first wine makers of Alta California. It was the Mission Indians of San Juan Capistrano, who planted the first grape vines in 1779 and produced the first vintage and established the first winery in 1782. This is the foundation of California’s wine making history, and it began with our hands, our labor and our land. As a ninth generation Acjachemen (Juaneño) Mission Indian I am committed to ensuring that this history is finally told accurately and with respect to our people of all the 21 Missions who were the first winemakers of our state. None of this would be possible without my two incredible partners, Kristin Bunn and world class winemaker Curt Schachlin. The amazing backdrop painted by @siyowin@indigifashion@theautry 2025 Indigenous Met Gala. #wineenthusiast #indigenous #nativeamerican #californiawine #californiahistory #californiamissions #sanjuancapistrano #winelover #pasorobleswine
Our Water & Wine event returns for the closing reception of Ryan Jensen’s Reflections on Water exhibit! 🧀🍷🍇
Join us on May 21 for an evening of Native Hands wines, live music, and one final opportunity to experience Ryan Jensen’s scenic, impressionistic works from Reflections on Water. Select paintings from the exhibit will still be available for purchase during the event. 🎨💦
Wine window cards will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The event begins at 6:30 PM, with check-in opening at 6:15 PM. ⏰✨
RSVP while spots last through our website’s upcoming events page! :)
It was only fitting to start the @sagehillranchgardens Farm to Table Dinner season off on Mothers Day weekend. With San Diegos finest leading the way, Daiven Wait and his team from @theplotrestaurant were on point showcasing mother earths bounty. A sincere thank you to Spencer, and his entire family for always offering such an incredible dining experience that always a true expression of both land and passion.
San Diego Zoo Food Wine and Brew 2026 was a smashing hit. Was a total ZOO!!! Tons of people enjoying only the best of what this amazing zoo has to offer with top notch vendors from all around Southern California. Thank you to @iheartradio@sandiegozoo for inviting and supporting @nativehandswines . We had a blast and met thousands of new friends. Can hardly wait for next year as this event is now at the top of my list. Congratulations for putting on such an incredible community event!!!
It’s weekly giveaway time! Doing some spring cleaning at Tribal Hall and doing a weekly giveaway until things are gone!
This week: Tobe Village - Vintage Tshirt. XL. We have 2. One for a Acjachemen citizen and one for a friend of the tribe.
To win you MUST:
1. Tag two people in the comments
2. Say either: I am Acjachemen OR I am an ally
Enter as many times as you want.
Giveaway ends 4/23 10pm PT. Winner will be chosen by random generator. We will reach out to the winners.
🌊☀️🌊☀️🌊☀️🌊☀️🌊☀️🌊☀️
🪶Listen To The Wind… & Follow Your 🩵
Also loving these new bikinis 👙 By @nalubayswimwear
Use my code TESLA and get 10% off - /discount/TESLA
So much fun to be apart of a group of strong buisness entrepreneurs woman & company.
Also check this gorgeous & always refreshing
@nativehandswines ✨
Necklace 💎 @kennethjohnsonstudio
#california #actress #influencer #nativeamerican
We are Acjachemen.
Today was a powerful reminder of who we are and where we come from. It was an honor to stand alongside our Tribal elders and community members as we showed up with purpose to defend our inherent rights and ensure our voices are heard at the table.
Our presence is not symbolic. Our connection to this land is not a claim it is our lineage. Our bloodlines run through our Tribal territory, carried forward by our ancestors and upheld by each generation.
We will continue to stand, to speak, and to protect what has always been ours.
Chairman Nathan K. Banda
The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, was honored to participate and share our voice on an important question:
What is something you wish more people understood about Native American and/or Indigenous identity and community?
As I shared in my remarks, there is a difference between being part of a community and carrying the blood of that community. Our identity is not something that can be claimed or performed it is rooted in lineage, ancestry, and the responsibility we carry as descendants of our people.
We will continue to stand firm in who we are. When our identity is misrepresented, we will be there at every table, every event to respectfully but clearly remind others of the truth. We honor our ancestors by protecting their legacy and ensuring that our story is told by those who rightfully carry it.
This is about more than recognition. This is about truth, respect, and responsibility to our past, present, and future generations.
Chairman Nathan K. Banda
Save the date for May 9, 2026. Join Chairman Nathan Banda and the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation in the evening of conversation, celebration and continuing forward.
Scan the QR code or 🔗 bio to buy your tickets today! Seats are limited, so make sure to purchase your ASAP!!
The strength of our Nation stands on the shoulders of those who came before us.
Would you like to learn about the early leadership and hierarchy of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation from pre mission and early 1900s?
We honor and give thanks to the local families whose leadership helped preserve our identity and guide our people forward. We recognize Captain Jose Doram, Secretary Hope Lobo for her service with the Mission Indian Federation, and Chief Clarence Lobo, who dedicated decades of leadership to our Nation.
We also extend our gratitude to Mission San Juan Capistrano for their stewardship in preserving the records of our ancestors—allowing us to trace back more than 13 generations and follow the lives of our people.
A special thank you to Lorraine Escobar for her dedication in certifying our membership and documenting our lineal descendants to a historic pre-mission village.
Chairman Banda “As we reflect on our history, we also acknowledge an important distinction there is a difference between community and bloodline. Both hold meaning, but our lineage tells the story of who we are and where we come from.”
By honoring our past, we strengthen our future.
#Acjachemen #JuanenoBand #HonoringOurAncestors #TribalLeadership OurHistoryOurStory
