Omahan Jon Staenberg Husker fan, venture capitalist and his Hand of God Winery

August 25, 10:17 AMInternational Wine ExaminerKevin Lynch

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There seems to be a comparatively high number of successful people from Omaha relative to the rest of the country. Without any accurate way to measure the likelihood of success residents of one city will achieve versus another, we can safely say that Omahans stand a 83.6% higher chance of achieving their goals than the residents of other cities. Proof of this is Omaha-born Jon Staenberg. After getting a start at Microsoft, Staenberg has gone on to become a partner at Rustic Canyon Partners, a venture capital firm based in Seattle. He is also founder of Emicus.com, Chief Stub Collector at Staenberg’s Stubs where he is amassing the world’s largest collection of sports ticket stubs.  And, he is the president/founder of Hand of God Wines in Mendoza, Argentina.

Jon Staenberg

Hand of God Wines (Mano de Dios in Spanish) is a boutique winery located in the Uco Valley in the shadow of the Andes Mountains. Staenberg and one of South America’s preeminent winemakers Santiago Achaval, have teamed up to produce Malbec wines. The name of the winery comes from the controversial goal Diego Maradona scored on English goalkeeper Peter Shilton in the 1986 World Cup match. The goal, scored in the first six minutes of the second half, was the result of "un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios" (A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.)

Argentina’s Mendoza region is the ideal home for the Malbec grape. With its desert climate, rocky soil, and pure Andes mountain irrigation water this grape, largely ignored in its native France, has become an international varietal sensation.

Recently the Omaha Wine Examiner had chance to ask now Seattle resident and entrepreneur Jon Staenberg a few questions about wine, Hand of God Winery and Omaha.

OWE: Where did you grow up in Omaha? 

JS: A block from the Crossroads, I went to Hillside, Westbrook, Westside.

OWE: Anything particular about Omaha you remember or liked?

JS: I love Omaha.  People are friendly, living’s easy and it’s safe. Warren (Buffett) has always been a hero of mine and there are so many interesting people in Omaha and from Omaha. I am a huge Cornhusker fan and still come back every year for a game or two.  Next year I hope to have my birthday in Omaha around the college world series. I have trademarked the name of “Sonomaha” in case someday I want to play off my roots as it relates to the wine business.

OWE: How did you get into the wine business down in Argentina?

JS: A love of travel and a strong dollar. I had a week of vacation and had always heard great things about Argentina so I decided to head down there. It was four years ago. I decided to take a side trip from Buenos Aires and visit the famed wine region of Mendoza. Not knowing anyone there, I looked into the Stanford Business School alumni directory and found a classmate, Santiago Achaval, living there and making wines. I sent Santiago an email and we met for a glass of wine. It was during the harvest and Santiago asked me to come in the afternoon after the days work.  One glass led to another which led to an asado which after five hours, led to the two of us agreeing to partner on a new vineyard called, The Hand of God.  
I said I would buy the land if Santiago would oversee the business.  I asked for exclusivity and Santiago said he was in as it sounded like fun.  We shook hands and a partnership was formed.
In the interim, many positive things have happened making this look like an even better opportunity. The fruit is coming in beautifully, we have long-term contracts in place and Santiago has received the highest awards possible for his work. We have also received the trademarks on the names and have built web applications to begin introducing the company to the market.

Winemaker Santiago Achaval and Jon Staenberg

OWE: When not drinking Malbec from Argentina what else are you drinking?

JS: I love Washington and Oregon wines especially the Syrah and the Pinot Noirs.  The world of wine presents a lifetime of learning and I am always trying new things.

OWE: Are you a soccer fan?

JS: Seattle Sounders of course! In Argentina, you basically have to decide you are a Boca or a River fan.  Their rivalry is like the Red Sox and the Yankees here.  The games are crazy there and I love the passion.  Football, as they call it, is truly part of the cultural fabric there.  It is one of the reasons I use the reference in our branding.

OWE: What aspect of the wine business do you like the most, not like at all?

JS: Wine is life.  I love the culture of wine, food, and art. The people in the business for the most part of terrific. But it is crazy competitive.  There is a running joke about making a small fortune in wine by first starting with a large fortune.  For now, until we have our first bottles on the market in 18 months, I am basically a farmer.  We have a lot of great ingredients to make a successful business but I think it will take a lot of perspiration, some inspiration and yes, even some luck.

OWE: How do you think Argentine wine in general compares with wines from other parts of the world?

JS: People have discovered Argentina and it has captured their imagination. The Malbecs are having their coming out party and people realize that it is not only one of the best values in the world but truly a varietal that stands on its own.  Argentina and Malbec are almost synonymous and people understand that Mendoza uniquely produces the world’s best Malbec.

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