William Cates

William Cates was born in New Orleans and grew up in Virginia. He holds a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Theatre Arts. He has worked as (short list) a horse trainer, construction worker, schoolteacher, ad copywriter, news journal editor, and photographer.

His photographs have appeared in many U. S. publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker and especially in horse magazines. After taking up organic farming during the 1970's he began growing grapes and making wine. Eventually winemaking took him to California where he started Tantara Winery (recently listed in National Geographic's book The 10 Best of Everything.)

Cates has directed stage plays and written review sketches and stage plays including The Lopsided Moon a comedy with music based loosely on Christophe Columb by Michel de Ghelderode. Recent short story collections include Just The Right Woman and Once Upon A Time At Loch Ness. Cates lives in Santa Ynez, California with his wife, artist Gwen Cates, who provides artwork for his books (as well as criticism).