People

More than any other single influence, our people make the difference and form the backbone of The Terraces personality. In 1993, the Crull family purchased the 150 year old historic wine estate and has been lovingly restoring and farming it ever since. 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, but at the age of fifteen, wine became my passion. 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 worked my first harvest at a custom crush facility in the heart of Sonoma wine country. This opportunity gave me the chance to work with numerous winemakers, with different styles and approaches to the craft; this is where I learned the fundamentals. 

After many vintages with custom crush brands, 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 season. When that harvest came to an end, it was time to try my hand on “the other side of the hill” in Napa Valley. After first working at large production winery, I joined The Terraces family in 2015.