Katherine MacMurray is the daughter of Hollywood legend Fred MacMurray and actress June Haver. She serves as spokesperson for MacMurray Estate Vineyards in California’s Russian River Valley, where she grew up on her family’s historic 1,500-acre ranch.
When you drive down Westside Road in Healdsburg, California, you pass through one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions. Hidden among the Pinot Noir vineyards sits a property where Hollywood history meets agricultural tradition. This is where Katherine MacMurray calls home.
Kate, as she’s known, is the daughter of Fred MacMurray, the beloved actor who played Steve Douglas on “My Three Sons” and starred in classic films like “Double Indemnity” and “The Absent-Minded Professor.” Her mother was June Haver, a golden-age actress once groomed to be the next Betty Grable. Today, Kate serves as the public face of MacMurray Estate Vineyards, sharing stories of her famous family while championing the wines produced on land her father purchased in 1941.
This article explores Kate’s journey from Hollywood childhood to her role as steward of her family’s agricultural legacy, her work in film and writing, and how she keeps the MacMurray name alive in California wine country.
Early Life and Adoption
Kate and her twin sister Laurie were adopted as newborns on May 7, 1956, joining a blended family that already included two children from Fred’s first marriage. Their mother, actress June Haver, had given up a promising Hollywood career to focus on raising the twins.
The girls split their childhood between Brentwood, an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood, and Twin Valley Ranch in Sonoma County. Kate remembers a surprisingly normal upbringing despite the famous neighbors. She walked to school with other celebrity children, including Jimmy Stewart’s daughters and Jamie Lee Curtis, playing in the streets like any other kids.
Through her mother’s connection with an obstetrician at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, the MacMurrays received a call about twin baby girls available for adoption. Kate has never sought out her birth mother, respecting her request for anonymity and feeling deeply satisfied with her adoptive family.
Growing Up on Twin Valley Ranch
The 1,750-acre property in Healdsburg became Kate’s sanctuary. Fred MacMurray purchased the ranch in 1941 from the Porter family, pioneers who had homesteaded there since 1846. It was a working cattle ranch, far removed from Hollywood’s spotlight.
Young Kate rode horses through rolling hills covered with oak trees. She spent holidays at the ranch while her father raised 400 head of prize-winning Aberdeen Angus cattle. The ranch also produced crops including prunes, apples, and alfalfa.
The MacMurrays spent Easters, Thanksgivings, Christmases, and summers at Twin Valley Ranch. When Fred wasn’t filming, the family attended St. John’s Catholic Church in downtown Healdsburg. Locals would see him sitting on a plaza bench on Sundays, reading the newspaper and smoking his iconic pipe.
Hollywood legends regularly visited the ranch. John Wayne, Fred’s fishing buddy, stayed so often that the guest house became known as the “John Wayne house.” Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart were frequent guests too. Stewart even stayed at the ranch during the filming of a Lassie movie.
A Childhood Surrounded by Animals
Kate developed a deep love for animals growing up on the ranch. She and her sister brought home stray dogs, ducks, and other animals. The key to winning over their father was getting him to name the animal.
The family had five dogs at one point, including a beautiful border collie found wandering Westside Road. Cats lived in the barn, and the girls would find nests of kittens and place them in homes. This early connection to animals shaped Kate’s later advocacy for the Healdsburg animal shelter.
Education and Film Career
Kate’s parents encouraged her interest in storytelling from an early age. She pursued higher education with serious dedication, earning multiple degrees focused on film and creative writing.
She earned an MA in Cinema-Television from USC and an MFA in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts from UCR Palm Desert. These credentials positioned her for work in the competitive Los Angeles film industry.
During her twenties, Kate worked various jobs while developing her skills. She spent six years at the San Francisco Tennis Club while studying English and humanities at the University of San Francisco. On weekends, she would return to the ranch her father had purchased decades earlier.
Kate has worked as a screenwriter and assisted in film production. She has written numerous scripts and continues working on a collection of fictional short stories. Her film work allowed her to understand the industry that made her father famous while developing her own creative voice.
Return to the Ranch
After Fred MacMurray died in 1991 at age 83, the family faced difficult decisions about the ranch. They wanted to preserve its agricultural heritage rather than see it subdivided for development.
In 1996, the family sold the 1,750-acre property to E. & J. Gallo Winery. The Gallo family planted 450 acres of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vines where cattle once grazed. They carefully restored the original buildings, maintaining the property’s historic character.
In 2000, Bob Gallo, son of wine pioneer Julio Gallo, asked Kate to work with the family as brand ambassador for MacMurray Ranch wines. Despite her fear of public speaking, she accepted the role.
Kate initially commuted from Santa Monica but eventually moved into the John Wayne guest house full-time. Living on the ranch again connected her to childhood memories while allowing her to share her family’s story with visitors and wine enthusiasts.
Wine Ambassador and Spokesperson
As spokesperson for MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Kate travels extensively promoting the wines. She educates people about the Russian River Valley’s unique terroir and explains why the cool, foggy climate produces exceptional Pinot Noir.
Her role requires public speaking at events, wine tastings, and media appearances. This was initially challenging for someone who confessed that getting up in front of people “scares me to death.” But after years in the position, she speaks effortlessly about winemaking, the land, and her family history.
The wines bear the MacMurray Ranch label, honoring Fred’s commitment to agriculture. The property produces estate wines from vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley and Central Coast. Each bottle connects consumers to the legacy of a Hollywood legend who valued hard work and the land.
Table: MacMurray Ranch Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Fred MacMurray purchases Twin Valley Ranch |
| 1956 | Kate and Laurie adopted as newborns |
| 1991 | Fred MacMurray passes away |
| 1996 | Family sells ranch to Gallo Winery; vineyards planted |
| 2000 | Kate becomes brand ambassador |
| Present | Kate lives on property, promoting wines globally |
Community Involvement
Kate actively supports Sonoma County causes and organizations. She’s involved with the local equestrian community, the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society, and animal welfare organizations.
She has led fundraising efforts for the Healdsburg animal shelter, drawing on her childhood experiences with rescue animals. In 2010, she kicked off a community campaign with a screening of “Babe” at the Raven Theater, speaking about responsible pet ownership and volunteerism.
Kate also helps host Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Estate Vineyards, an annual Labor Day weekend event showcasing the region’s wine and food. These activities keep her connected to the agricultural community her father valued.
Preserving Hollywood Heritage
Beyond wine promotion, Kate works to preserve her father’s Hollywood legacy. She has appeared at the TCM Classic Film Festival, speaking at a 2017 screening of “The Egg and I,” one of Fred’s major hits from 1947.
At the Walt Disney Family Museum, she participated in a Happily Ever After Hours program discussing her father’s close friendship with Walt Disney and her own childhood memories of Walt. Fred MacMurray was named the first Disney Legend in 1987, recognizing his contributions to beloved Disney films.
Kate shares stories about growing up as the daughter of the quintessential American TV dad. Fred played Steve Douglas on “My Three Sons” for 12 seasons, a role that defined his later career. She helps audiences understand the man behind the character.
The MacMurray Ranch hosts limited public events where Kate displays photographs of her father with friends like Bing Crosby. She shows memorabilia from his hobbies including skeet shooting, leatherwork, and watercolor painting. One award she particularly treasures came from Popcorn Village USA, which her father jokingly suggested she display if she wanted to show off an accolade.
Current Life in Sonoma
Kate lives in a cabin her father built on the ranch property. From her windows, she looks out on the landscape Fred said reminded him of Ireland. The restored ranch maintains much of its original character, with the same rocking chair where Fred would sit reading the paper while watching his cattle.
She continues writing fiction while balancing her duties as wine ambassador. Her life blends creative pursuits with agricultural stewardship, honoring both sides of her heritage. The Russian River Valley’s wine community has embraced her as one of their own.
The ranch remains a working agricultural property as Fred intended. The 1,500-acre property is home to old-growth oaks, Redwood trees, and indigenous wildlife. Kate ensures that visitors understand the land’s 150-year agricultural history beyond its Hollywood connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Katherine MacMurray?
Kate MacMurray is the adopted daughter of actor Fred MacMurray and actress June Haver. She serves as spokesperson for MacMurray Estate Vineyards in California’s Russian River Valley.
What does Kate MacMurray do now?
She works as brand ambassador for MacMurray Estate Vineyards while continuing her writing. She travels promoting wines and preserving her family’s legacy in Sonoma County.
Did Fred MacMurray own a winery?
Fred owned a cattle ranch that the family sold to Gallo in 1996. Gallo planted vineyards and produces wines under the MacMurray Ranch label that Kate represents today.
Does Kate MacMurray have siblings?
Yes. She has a twin sister named Laurie who lives in Los Angeles. They also had two half-siblings, Susan and Robert, from Fred’s first marriage to Lillian Lamont.
Where did Kate MacMurray grow up?
She split her childhood between Brentwood in Los Angeles and Twin Valley Ranch in Healdsburg, California. The family spent holidays and summers on the Sonoma County property.
Conclusion
Katherine MacMurray embodies the connection between Hollywood glamour and agricultural tradition. She has transformed from a screenwriter with a famous last name into a respected voice in California wine country. Her work ensures that the MacMurray Ranch remains more than a celebrity footnote. It stands as a working tribute to her father’s values.
The ranch her father bought in 1941 continues producing award-winning wines. Kate’s role as ambassador keeps Fred MacMurray’s name alive for new generations while honoring the land he loved. Her journey shows how family legacy can evolve while staying rooted in the same soil. Whether speaking at wine tastings or working with local charities, Kate MacMurray carries forward a dual heritage worth celebrating.
