John E. Fricker is our Winemaker.  John is an experienced Winemaker, Restaurateur and Wine Steward.  He already had some award winning wines before we met him.  And no wonder: he's a fastidious, artistic perfectionist who can gracefully walk the thin lines between art, science and mysticism...that's what winemaking really is, isn't it?

In the winery, John is the captain of his ship and everything has to be ship-shape and spotless.  Going into the barrel room, he introduces you to his banded staves of French oak as if they were family.  He knows each one of them in intimate detail.  He has hopes and dreams for them.  He watches them mature like a proud parent.  He offers you a dribbling from a "wine-thief' and looks unworried while you mull over it.  He may write something about your reaction in a secret notebook.  John makes wines that people love and he greatly enjoys doing it.

Edgar Ramirez is our Vineyard and Estate Manager.  Edgar has probably raised a billion grapes, maybe more.  We don't know if he talks to our vines, but we do know that they talk to him.  His policy of hand-tending the vines keeps him keenly aware of their needs.  In the pouring rain, or red-hot sun, Edgar is by their side.  It's not at all uncommon to see him working under lights in the middle of the night.

 In The County, Edgar has a reputation that comes from years of doing things right.  Many people here seek his consultation because they know he doesn't guess.  Edgar does not cut corners.  The people on his field teams know this, too.  So, harvest here takes a little longer because Edgar will only take perfect grapes.

Edgar also masterfully guides our vines through the cold months, protecting them from the unpredictable trials of Canadian winter.  This latitude can be challenging, but grapes grown here have a character and complexity that makes the effort worthwhile.  Edgar lives up to that challenge every day.