Chief Winemaker

• Dec 2021 - Present

• Aug 2021 - Dec 2021

• Jan 2018 - Nov 2021

• Works with winemaking colleagues and management to develop new wines in support of branded business requirements.• Partners with production winemaking and wine & grape supply teams to ensure the feasibility of scaling-up wines as part of the development process• Partners with grape/wine management to determine a cost target for NPD projects• Collaborates with winemaking teams, sensory, and marketing to develop new wine styles• Creates prototypes for evaluation by winemaking management• Identifies aromas and flavors in wines; recommends treatments to capture the desired end profile.• Organizes and participates in wine tastings; works together with winemakers to attain wine flavor profiles which meet sensory and marketing needs.• Participates in department and interdepartmental planning and management teams; works cross -functionally to develop and implement new wine products on schedule and within prescribed budget.• Monitors and helps ensure goal achievements, objectives, and the successful completion of project timelines. Show less

• Jul 2020 - Oct 2020

Direct all onsite winemaking Direct grape pick calls depending on vineyard physiology, sensory evaluation, grape analysisManage incoming grape scheduleDirect juice and ship protocol for applicable brands Manage harvest winemaking intern, lab tech and harvest lab enologist

• Mar 2019 - Apr 2019

• Mar 2017 - Jan 2018

Work directly with cellar and processing to ensure timely processing of blends to bottleManage Woodbridge Chardonnay, Lightly Oaked Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, Riesling and Muscat blending and processing from fermentation to bottlingDirect and coordinate operation of Continuous Flotation unit during harvest for clarification of white juices before fermentation, while making adjustments to the SOPMonitor laboratory analysis of assigned blends to ensure highest quality possible Show less

• Oct 2014 - Mar 2017

Ensure quality / brand requirements are met and timely production of assigned brandsAssist in all cellar operations: micro-oxidation, oak chip trials, copper additions, sampling, analysis, tasting, compiling dataAssist in production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and other red winesEnsure proper processing, blending, chemical additions, stabilization and tank health of all winesSubmit work orders for all processes neededProvide technical expertise in various processing areasSupervise flotation of white juices during harvest, create and implement SOP for continuous flotation Show less

• Jul 2014 - Oct 2014

Submit work orders and relay tasks to cellar staffPress sampling and monitoringYeast re-hydration and fermentation monitoring (including cell count and viability)Maintain healthy yeast cultures for large volume inoculationsAssist winemakers in flotation of white juice

• Apr 2013 - Apr 2014

Assist in decision of timing of harvest and bottling processesCommunicate protocols with Head Winemaker and vineyard management, regarding vineyard treatment and grape qualityManage production of all tiers of wine (super premium to luxury) wine, including Old and Ancient Vine Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Viognier, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon, and dessert winesPerform juice and / or wine analysis including Brix, pH, TA, Total and Free SO2Monitor cellar status, including topping and sulfite schedules on a regular basisSupervise all daily cellar and wine pad operations: harvest, bulk wine, barrels, bottling, sanitations and cellar organizationTrack wine’s progress through fermentaion and assess needs of finished wine Show less

• Oct 2012 - Apr 2013

Track inventory of case goods and cellarMaintain clean and operational winery pad, including equipment sanitationAssist winemakers in daily winery operations and miscellaneous winery tasks

• Jul 2012 - Sep 2012

Sample vineyard to monitor Brix, pH and TA levels prior to harvestAssist Cellar Master in equipment maintenanceInoculate Tanks, adjust acid and nutrient levels as need throughout fermentationResponsible for racking and tank pumpovers as needed