Moonrise Pizza was inspired by a love story — both on screen and in real life.

Our name comes from Moonrise Kingdom, one of our favorite films. Years ago, when we were married in our backyard at a chili cookoff (yes, really), a dear friend officiated a ceremony that reenacted the wedding scene from the movie. It was personal, a little quirky, and completely us. When it came time to name our pizzeria, Moonrise felt like the perfect fit — a reminder that food, like film and family, brings people together.

We’re Mike and Melanie — partners in life and now partners in pizza.

Between the two of us, we’ve owned and operated a proofreading business, a gift shop, a bar, a café, and now Moonrise Pizza. Entrepreneurship has always been part of our story. We love building places where people gather, connect, and feel at home.

Mike’s path to pizza started long before Moonrise opened its doors. After college, he attended culinary school and spent years honing his craft. What began as hosting pizza parties at home for friends and family slowly turned into something bigger. Those backyard gatherings — experimenting with dough, perfecting sauces, firing pizzas for a crowd — eventually became the foundation for Moonrise Pizza.

Melanie has spent most of her adult life managing and operating small businesses. She brings the structure, systems, and steady hand that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Together, we balance creativity and operations, craft and consistency.

In 2021, we moved to Amador County with our son after visiting friends here for many years. We fell in love with the beauty of the landscape, the strength of the community, and the slower pace of life.

Amador County feels like the kind of place where you can build something meaningful — where your customers become friends and your business becomes part of the neighborhood fabric. We’ve embraced life here wholeheartedly and are proud to serve this community.

Moonrise Pizza isn’t just about great dough and fresh ingredients (though we care deeply about both). It’s about gathering around a table. It’s about sharing something handmade. It’s about creating a place that feels warm, welcoming, and just a little bit magical — like a moonrise at the end of the day.

We’re so glad you’re here.

🌙 See you at Moonrise.