Eric Gallegos has joined Cliff Lede Vineyards as director of vineyard operations at the Yountville-area winery.
Equipped with extensive knowledge of the Napa Valley wine industry, Gallegos will oversee all farming and viticulture of the winery’s 160 acres of estate vineyards across the Stags Leap District, Carneros and Calistoga AVAs, according to a news release.
A third-generation farmer in the Napa Valley, Gallegos was introduced to grape growing at a young age. He grew up working with his father in vineyard management and became the first in his family to earn a degree in viticulture upon graduating from Fresno State University in 2009, according to the announcement.
To build on his education, he returned home to work harvest before taking on a crucial role at his father’s new vineyard management company. There, Gallegos was a key player in the development of several vineyards alongside viticulturist Nathan Baty, who later hired him to work with some of Napa’s most acclaimed winemakers, including Thomas Rivers Brown and Philippe Melka.
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“With extensive experience implementing sustainable vineyard protocols and managing external grower relations, Eric is well-versed in the farming and viticultural landscape of Napa Valley,” said Jason Lede, second-generation vintner and director of communications at Cliff Lede Vineyards. “We are thrilled to work with him to further our commitment to organic grape growing and enhancing the unique characteristics of each of our estate vineyards.”
Established by Cliff Lede in 2002 with the purchase of 60 acres in the Stags Leap District, Cliff Lede Vineyards has become a leading family-owned producer of Bordeaux variety wines.
For more information, visit cliffledevineyards.com.
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