People

More than any other single influence, our people make the difference and form the backbone of The Terraces personality. Whether it’s the land, the wine, the history or our visitors, we really care! Our small scale means we are more a family than a business, and each of our family members contribute hugely to our success in their own unique and passionate way.

I was born in Cincinnati Ohio, into a truly mid-western family. My father’s career moves took me to Boston, New York and Southern California during my childhood. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in engineering and economics, I spent a decade working at IBM, I later founded Watermark Press, a graphic arts business in San Francisco.

My love of food and wine started back at Berkeley in the now famous “gourmet ghetto” and morphed into many years as a home winemaker. I was lucky to get a piece of Rutherford in 1993, and my days as a farmer began. For the last 15 years, I’ve been “living the dream” as both the vineyard manager and winemaker for The Terraces. My inspiration as a winemaker comes from my commitment to the ”place” and making wines that celebrate the growing of the fruit. I am especially fond of Zinfandel and its many variations, and of Riesling, my favorite white wine. When not growing grapes or making wine, I can be found engaged in my many other interests: gardening, metal and wood working, cooking, collecting old cars, keeping bees and Burning Man.

I grew up in the big city of Los Angeles, and had no knowledge or appreciation of rural life. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, I received a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1989. I practiced commercial litigation at Gordon & Rees in San Francisco, making partner in 1996.

Timm and I had twins, Madeleine and Tucker in 1996, and have raised them in Napa Valley. After many initial “green acre” moments, I have fully embraced the country life, raising chickens, growing pumpkins and making tomato sauce. In addition to my responsibilities at the winery, I have been serving on the City Council of St. Helena since 2008. In my spare time I enjoy reading, exploring independent bookstores, spending time with family and friends, and swimming in the ocean.

Growing up in Sebastopol, California, wine has always been an important part of my life and livelihood. At the age of fifteen I got my first job working in vineyards for a family friend. From there my mind was made up, I would become a winemaker. Out of high school I got my first harvest internship at a custom crush facility in the heart of the Sonoma wine country. At this facility I had the chance to work with numerous winemakers, with different styles and approaches to the craft; this is where I learned the fundamentals. When harvest wrapped up I would head to Tahoe to spend the rest of the year taking winemaking courses and living as a ski bum.

After working four vintages at the custom crush facility, I decided it was time to branch out. I moved to New Zealand to further my knowledge of wine on a global scale. I worked two harvests in New Zealand before returning home to Sonoma County for an extended harvest placement. When that harvest season came to an end I decided it was time to try my hand on “the other side of the hill” in Napa Valley. I got a job working in the cellar for a reputable large production winery where I stayed for two and a half years, learning from an amazing base of talent and history. I joined The Terraces family in 2015 and look forward to furthering my winemaking knowledge under the direction of Winemaker Timm Crull and hope to be a positive and beneficial influence on the wines for many years to come.

My family came from El Salvador in the early 90’s and settled deep in the heart of the Napa Valley. I was born and raised in St Helena, so it is safe to say wine is in my blood. Thanks to my father who has been a chef for over 25 years in Napa, I fell in love with everything food and wine related from a young age. After high school I knew hospitality was my calling, as I love sharing my passion with others and have a natural ability to make people smile. Before joining the family at The Terraces I worked as a bar back, server, and viticulture intern – but the atmosphere of the tasting room is what I truly love.

Although wine is my passion, a fresh cold beer has always quenched my pallet after a long day at work. In my spare time you can catch me hangout with friends, playing pool, and keeping up with my favorite Bay Area sports teams.

Although I come from a long line of Napa natives, with roots in Carneros grape growing, I was born in Hoboken New Jersey. After a couple of moves I spent my formative years in Akron, Ohio near my father’s family. I attended college at the University of Colorado Boulder which was ideal as I have always had a love for the outdoors.  After college, I stayed in Denver for an additional year working construction, it was here that I realized I really enjoyed working with my hands.

Leaving Colorado, I relocated to Northern California where I spent a summer woofing (Working on Organic Farms). It was during this time I met my wife and we decided to spend the winter travelling. We filled our days surfing, snowboarding, exploring National Parks and visiting her home town of Ensenada, Mexico. The following year I found a full-time job growing high quality produce in West Marin, California. This opportunity helped me learn about organic farming as I spent my days preparing fields and harvesting produce for bay area restaurants and local farmers markets.

After more than two years working on the organic farm, my roots pulled me back to Napa as I yearned to break into the wine industry. After a summer as viticulture technician monitoring grape crops all over northern California, I decided to dive head first into the world of grape growing and ranch management – leading me to The Terraces. When I’m not looking after The Terraces ranch and vineyards I continue to enjoy the beauty of Northern California with my wife and 11-year-old son.