It is fitting that the first wine released by Billy O Wines is Mazie Chardonnay, which is a tribute to the mother of Billy O'Neill. Mazie, as she is affectionately nicknamed, had Billy when she herself was still a child and living in Ireland. Determined to give Billy the education and opportunities she never had, Mazie found the resolve and resources to move her and her son to the United States, eventually settling in Western Washington. Over the years, her determination, sense of humor and generosity won her many admirers, which gave Billy an extended family of friends and neighbors who kept him out of (a reasonable amount of) trouble and taught him the meaning of community.

Mazie succeeded in her goal of giving Billy the education and opportunities she never had. Billy grew up in the Kent School District, playing soccer for Kentridge High School and spending entirely too much time at Longacres, the picturesque and beloved horse racing track which, tragically, closed in 1992. After playing college soccer at Asuza Pacific University, Billy transferred home to the University of Washington. Without an athletic scholarship to cover his tuition, Billy hired a skilled boatbuilder to construct an espresso cart, which he opened as the first espresso cart in the University District.