Our Team in the Vineyard, from left to right: Back row, Brendan Brambila, Alvaro Mendoza, Ernesto Llamas, Paulino Cortina, Benigno Beas, Juan Meza. Front row, Miguel Duran, Mario Sanchez, Alfonso Beas, Javier Cruz, Arturo Duran, Martin Cruz.

In the Vineyard

Terroir can be an elusive term. Loosely translated as “a sense of place,” not all wines (indeed, some may argue only a select few) can claim a distinctive character that reflects the unique place in which the wine was grown. Recently, the definition of terroir has been expanded, to include not only the influence of soil and climate on wine, but the people farming the grapes as well. We couldn’t applaud this decision more. As a 100% estate winery, we are exceedingly passionate not only about the land we farm, but the footprints in the field. This team of people, in our opinion, is the most significant piece of our terroir.

Brendan Brambila, Viticulturist

Brendan’s passion for viticulture started long before he came to Trefethen. Being the son of a Napa Valley Winemaker, he was immersed in the wine industry at a very young age. He spent summers working in the vineyards and winery developing a strong interest in the industry. In 2006, he graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Agricultural Business, with an emphasis in Wine and Viticulture.

Brendan’s experience includes working in vineyards across the Napa Valley and the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. He understands how terroir plays an important role in crafting world class wines. With 2009 being his first growing season at Trefethen Family Vineyards, Brendan already appreciates the unique growing conditions that allow multiple varieties to thrive here at Trefethen Family Vineyards.

Brendan’s goal at Trefethen is maximizing the vineyard’s potential. His belief is that you must adapt your viticultural skills and techniques based on each vintage similar to the way a winemaker manages each specific vintage in the cellar.

Alfonso Beas, Ranch Foreman

Alfonso comes from an agricultural community in Jalisco, Mexico. He remembers enjoying being out near nature since he was a little boy. When he first came to the States, he worked in construction for a few months; but he realized that he didn’t enjoy it and started working in the field. He came to Napa in 1993, which is when he started working for Trefethen as a field worker. He liked working outside, being close to nature, the tractors, as well as seeing the process of taking care of the vines, watching them grow, bloom and produce fruit. Alfonso’s least favorite part of his job is during frost season when he gets to work during the nights or early mornings in the very cold weather, of course he also understands that doing a good job caring for the vines during this critical time of the year is of great importance in order to have a successful harvest. Harvest is Alfonso’s favorite time of the year. It is when they get to see the end result of having taken care of the vines throughout a year of hard work. Alfonso is now the Ranch Foreman and has been with Trefethen for 16 years.