From One Valley to Five Wine Regions
Behind every unforgettable Grapeline tour is a shared passion for wine, hospitality, and California Wine Country. In 2002, John and Kim Kelliher swapped an airport shuttle idea for something far more delicious: sharing Temecula’s wine country with the world. What started as one region soon grew into five, with Grapeline now welcoming guests across Temecula, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, and Napa. More than two decades, 20,000 annual guests, and a shelf full of awards later, that same passion still drives everything Grapeline does. Get to know the husband-and-wife team behind the journey.
John Kelliher
Co-Founder | Chief Wino | Wine Country Visionary | Tourism Industry Leader
John Kelliher is the Co-founder, alongside his wife Kim Kelliher, of two standout Temecula-based businesses: Grapeline Wine Tours and Stryder Transportation(opens in a new tab).
Since founding Grapeline in 2002, John has helped grow it into one of the most celebrated wine tour companies in California. Operating in Temecula, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Sonoma Valley, and Napa Valley, Grapeline offers curated wine tasting experiences for more than 20,000 guests every year.
Under John’s strategic leadership, the company has expanded beyond Temecula to become a nationally celebrated wine tourism brand. The company has been honored as Temecula’s Business of the Year three times—a testament to its enduring impact on local tourism.
In 2025, Grapeline was awarded Temecula’s 2024 Sterling Business of the Year Award(opens in a new tab) by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce(opens in a new tab), recognizing its sustained excellence and community contribution.
Grapeline was also voted the #1 Wine Tour Company in America by USA Today(opens in a new tab) and named one of Viator’s Top 10 Beverage Tours and Experiences in the U.S.(opens in a new tab) in 2025 for the second consecutive year.
John also co-founded Stryder Transportation, a leading Southern California transportation service with a fleet of over 30 vehicles, from executive SUVs to 56-passenger buses. Whether it’s a wine country shuttle or executive group transfer, Stryder’s reputation for reliability and comfort is the result of John’s keen operational insight and commitment to customer care.
A visionary in destination marketing, John has served on the Visit Temecula Valley Board of Directors(opens in a new tab) for more than 20 years, including two years as Chairman. His influence extends statewide. He has been a State Commissioner on the California Travel and Tourism Commission(opens in a new tab) (publicly known as Visit California(opens in a new tab)) since May 2016, helping guide the strategy of California’s official destination marketing organization, which today operates with an annual budget of $175 million.
John’s leadership goes beyond business. He’s been actively involved in the Murrieta Temecula Group, the Wine Country Entrepreneur Group, the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival, and the Rotary Club of Temecula(opens in a new tab). His dedication to the region and hospitality industry has earned him numerous honors, including being named Temecula’s Hospitality Professional of the Year(opens in a new tab) in both 2012 and 2022, and Temecula’s Citizen of the Year in 2014(opens in a new tab).
The Strategist Behind the Sip
John may not grow the grapes, but he’s an expert at crafting wine country experiences worth writing home about. With over two decades of experience and strong relationships with California’s top wineries, John understands what turns a good wine tour into a spectacular one.
From Temecula’s De Portola Wine Trail(opens in a new tab) to the hills of Sonoma, John knows the routes, the varietals, and the vintners. Whether it’s a full-bodied Paso Zinfandel or a crisp Carneros Chardonnay, he’s built his reputation on connecting people to the best wine—and the best time—in California.
John and Kim, married for 35 years, moved to Temecula in 1997, where they raised their three sons and built a business that continues to define excellence in wine tourism.
Kim Kelliher
Co-Founder & President | Hospitality Maven | Community Advocate
Kim Kelliher is the Co-founder and President of Grapeline Wine Tours, one of California’s most acclaimed wine tourism companies.
In 2002, Kim and her husband, John Kelliher, launched Grapeline in Temecula Valley with a simple but savvy idea: offer safe, seamless, and fun wine tasting experiences in a region just beginning to bloom. Today, Grapeline operates across five major wine regions—Temecula, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Sonoma Valley, and Napa Valley—and has become one of the highest-rated wine tour companies in the country, serving over 20,000 guests annually.
Before starting Grapeline, Kim brought a diverse background to the table—first as a political journalist in Washington, D.C., and later as a Special Events Manager at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. It was there that she saw firsthand the potential of Temecula wine country and pitched John’s original idea to pivot from airport shuttles to wine tours. That spark of creativity laid the foundation for a company that’s now a staple of California wine tourism.
Kim is also co-owner of Stryder Transportation(opens in a new tab), which operates a 30+ vehicle fleet offering executive and group transportation throughout Southern California. From small group wine tours to full-scale corporate charters, Stryder and Grapeline reflect the Kelliher commitment to excellence in guest experience.
Kim has long been a leader in the Temecula Valley business community. She served as Chairman of the Board for the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce and was honored as Temecula’s 2009 Citizen of the Year(opens in a new tab). In 2023, she and John were recognized with the 2022 Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year, underscoring their deep and lasting impact on regional tourism.
Her leadership has helped Grapeline earn numerous accolades, including being voted the Top Wine Tour Company in America by USA Today, receiving Temecula’s 2024 Sterling Business of the Year Award(opens in a new tab) by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, and having its Vineyard Picnic Tour named one of the 2025 Top 10 Beverage Tours and Experiences in the U.S.(opens in a new tab)
The Palate with a Plan
Kim doesn’t just enjoy wine—she gets it. Her knowledge is grounded in years of experience planning winery events, building relationships with winemakers, and personally curating guest experiences across multiple California regions. She knows which Temecula Viognier sings on a summer afternoon, where to find the best barrel-aged reds in Paso, and how to pair a BLTA with the perfect Rhône blend. Her palate is as refined as her sense for hospitality—and both are unmatched.
She’s also the person behind the joyful, guest-centered culture Grapeline is known for. Her advice on hiring? “Skills can be taught. But we hire for attitude—humble, helpful, and joyful.” It’s a philosophy that’s created a team guests rave about, year after year.
Kim and John have been married for 35 years and moved to Temecula in 1997, where they raised their three sons. Today, they’re proud to call the valley home and even prouder to share its wine country magic with others.
Experience California Wine Country with Grapeline
Have questions about our wine tours, private transportation, or special events? Reach out to our wine country specialist for help with options and booking.