CREDENTIALS:

Responsible for overseeing grower relations (grape buying) supply needs, research and development projects, and all vineyard production operations including budget analysis and supply strategy (6-year plan), cultural practices, development of new vineyards and replant programs, nursery management, integration of advanced disease and pest management operations, acquisition of labor, operations training and evaluation of farm equipment needs and provisions. Contracted to reclaim estate vineyards with adverse farming conditions including high Magnesium, low phosphorus, low pH, clay soils with various slopes, weather conditions including 2-8 inches of summer rain/month, winter temperatures reaching below 0^oF, farming of Vitis labrusca, aestivalis, vinifera, and several recently released hybrid cultivars, detections of recent outbreaks of insect species, viruses, and management of 12 different fungal diseases during the duration of one season.

Established and maintained positive grower relations, made regular visits to growers checking crop load, cultural practices, irrigation, weed and mildew control in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Solano, and Lake counties, as well as the northern Central Valley (Lodi and Clarksburg appellations). Observed and recorded vineyard phenology and viticulture practices in grower vineyards, including spotting problems and making improvements. Provided knowledge of grape supply and ensured that the purchased fruit supply met quality, style, volume, appellation and cost requirements. Provided knowledge of innovative and cutting edge growing practices. Made recommendations for long-term grape purchase strategy to achieve the winery’s long-term winemaking blend needs.

Responsible for establishment and management of advanced irrigation operation using plant moisture measurements (pressure bomb), soil moisture measurements (Neutron probes, aqua probes) and weather data for 2000 acres on a diverse site with a terrain ranging from 0 to 30% slopes and soils ranging from gravelly loams to solid clay soils. Also monitored for pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies and disorders, assisted in crop load, canopy management, clone identification and selection, conducted back hoe pit analysis and soil sample analysis, supervised vineyard establishment and vine mealy bug eradication programs, recorded and organized vineyard data on interactive Excel spread sheets.

Vineyard functions include direct management involvement in development and redevelopment of vineyards including trellising and rootstock decisions as well as land purchasing decisions to achieve optimal quality for a 700-acre corporate family farm. Supervision of irrigation practices using neutron probe data and plant moisture stress instruments to determine when and how much water to apply to provide optimal stress conditions of the grapevines. Worked with various irrigation pumps and systems as well as drip line and pump maintenance and nurse tank fertilizer applications. Responsibilities also included production of vineyards from company nursery, crop load and canopy management, monitoring for nutrient deficiencies and pests, harvest determination and management, and management of pruning, tying, and planting crews.

Responsibilities included vineyard planting, vine training, Eutypa monitoring, nutrient deficiency monitoring, rootstock trial observations, irrigation system maintenance, and berry sugar, acid, and pH measurements.

October 2003 Allied Domecq Executive Wine Maker, Vineyard Director and Buena Vista Estate Vineyard Manager "Effect of Crop Level on Berry and Wine Composition and Canopy Density on Pinot noir Grapevines"

June 2003 American Society of Enology and Viticulture "Influence of cluster exposure to sunlight on the berry growth and composition of Cabernet Sauvignon"

March 2003 Mondavi Quality Enhancement Team "Influence of cluster exposure to sunlight on the berry growth and composition of Cabernet Sauvignon"

Effect of Vine Microclimate on Norisoprenoid Formation in Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes and Wines. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 55:3 (Co-author) (2004 Abstract)

Influence of cluster exposure to sunlight on the berry growth and composition of Cabernet Sauvignon. Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 54:3 (2003 Abstract)