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.

I was born into a growing young family in the great state of Colorado. As the middle of five children raised lovingly in very close quarters, I was always the independent type determined to carve out happiness with my own path in life.

When my childhood goal of being the first female NBA player fell through I focused on more realistic ambitions. After receiving a degree in Psychology, the plan was medical school but a “brief” hiatus from the real world placed me traveling abroad and eventually relocating to the mountains of Colorado for the winter. Nearly five years later my short-term escape to the mountains had become a full time life. It was during this time that my love and understanding of wine began to flourish, creating an incurable need to travel to Napa whenever possible.

Eventually, it was time to say goodbye to the hectic restaurant lifestyle and relocate to Napa permanently to cultivate my passion for wine. When I’m not at The Terraces happily taking care of our guests and wine club members, I enjoy cooking, winemaking, golfing, becoming the Dominos champion of my household, and traveling when ever possible.

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.

I was born and grew up in Amacueca, Jalisco Mexico. My family had an orchard with walnuts and coffee and it was here that I fell in love with plants. I have been working at The Terraces for 14 years and I am responsible for the vineyards and the landscaping. I take great pride in what we have built here in the last 14 years and believe we have the nicest vineyards in Napa.

When I am not working I enjoy sharing a few beers with Timm and mariachi music. For those who have come and visited and see our cats, I am the one who feeds and cares for them like my family.