Trinchero Family Estates

Join us in celebrating the retirement of two dedicated Winemaking team members, Juan Calderon and Steve Molinari. After a combined 55 years with us, they are now starting a new chapter in their lives. Congratulations and happy retirement!

For our next Harvest Spotlight, we hear from Jessica Reil, Cellar Supervisor, about her experiences during harvest at TFE: “I am the morning shift Cellar Supervisor at our Main Street Winery in St. Helena. I love training new team members who join us during the season, especially those who have not experienced a crush before. Sharing my knowledge with them is the highlight of the year for me because they are so passionate and excited about the new experience. I find that it drives my passion for the wine industry even further. Weather is the driving force behind the challenges of harvest. If it is a hot and dry year the grapes can seem to all come in at once, if it is a cold and wet year harvest can seem to drag on for months. The high fire years we’ve had in California’s recent history have been the most challenging harvests I have experienced in my career. But these are the years the team comes together and bonds the most. You are never alone in a challenging harvest; the team looks out for each other and helps everyone pull through. When you work for a family-owned winery, it feels like you sign up to become a family member. The Cellar and Winemaking departments at Main Street are one big family unit! We are a united front driven by constant communication, talking about how to produce a quality product in the safest way possible and sharing tips on how to care for our office plants! I feel especially blessed to have such a close working relationship with the winemakers at our facility. I know they care about my team as much as I do!”

Our next Harvest spotlight takes us to the vineyard as we hear from Viticulturist Kristin Fernandez. “During the chaos of harvest, it's my responsibility to scout and make sure the rest of the vineyard continues to reach quality parameters. As we continue to bring the fruit in from the vineyard, I'm preparing for any post-harvest activities to prepare the vines for dormancy. While most people are working nights, I'm still working during the day to make sure the vines remain healthy through this time. My greatest memories include the harvest of the trials and experiments we worked on all year. Bringing the fruit off those vines means learning more about how our trials impacted the 2024 vintage. The craziest thing that happens during harvest is all the wildlife that comes out; anything from wild pigs, coyotes, and barn owls to mountain lions, it's a completely different world at night. Potential employees should know that the Vineyard Department is very passionate about their work, no matter their region. I think it makes our department unique and a fun environment to work in, where people enjoy their work.”

Join us in congratulating Creative Director Andrew Rice on 25 years with Trinchero Family Estates! Hear what Andrew had to say about his time with TFE: “My biggest achievement would be launching new wine brands. Being involved from the initial inception stages through label design has been an incredibly rewarding experience. When success, such as with SEAGLASS translates into positive sales numbers, it becomes a continued source of motivation and inspiration. One of my fondest memories at TFE is from 2011 when I received an award for my contributions to the point-of-sale industry. Not only was the acknowledgment from my industry peers deeply meaningful, but the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the brands over the years was truly fulfilling. I hope I can continue inspiring and motivating each graphic designer in the Creative Services department, encouraging them to discover their unique path and forge ahead. At TFE, there is a unique sense of belonging that sets it apart from any other employer. Each employee feels like a valued part of something much larger, and this recognition of our individual identities directly translates into the quality of our work. It’s this environment of respect and appreciation that truly makes TFE stand out. To a prospective employee considering TFE, it may seem like a large company from the outside, and while that is true, there are unique opportunities here that you don’t often find in larger organizations. Our leaders lead with compassion, and I genuinely feel they care about their team members.” When Andrew is not designing a new label, he is cheering on his favorite sports team and spending time at the beach and with his family. Happy Anniversary, Andrew! Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring. Here's to many more years of success at TFE!

This harvest season, we're excited to highlight members of our Winemaking and Vineyard teams. To start things off, let's hear from winemaker Landon Donley. “During harvest, I oversee the winemaking process at Trinchero Napa Valley, managing a diverse portfolio of wines sourced from more than 11 vineyards across 6 distinct appellations within Napa Valley. A typical harvest at Trinchero Napa Valley spans about 12-13 weeks, allowing for a steady pace of processing and fermentation. However, in 2022, the vintage advanced rapidly, requiring us to harvest all the grapes in just 9 weeks. This posed a significant challenge for our small team. Successfully navigating the 2022 vintage with both safety and efficiency was a major achievement, resulting in excellent wines that our customers are sure to love. My four years at TFE have demonstrated the company’s dedication to both innovation and traditional techniques. Each team member plays a vital role in crafting wines that embody our commitment to excellence. TFE recognizes that the wine industry is ever-evolving and supports continuous learning and professional growth. Overall, being part of the TFE Winemaking department means joining a passionate, collaborative team devoted to producing exceptional wines.”

In August, SEAGLASS partnered with the Surfrider Foundation for an incredible beach clean-up at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. With over 35 passionate volunteers coming together, we cleared more than 240 pounds of trash! This clean-up wasn’t just about picking up litter—it was about making a real difference and showing our love for the coast. We couldn’t be prouder of the impact we made together. A huge thank you to everyone who made this day unforgettable! Learn more about the partnership between SEAGLASS and the Surfrider Foundation here: https://lnkd.in/gs2HUCMX

It's official! The 2024 harvest season has kicked off and we couldn't be more thrilled! Our wineries throughout California are now welcoming the arrival of their first loads of grapes. On behalf of TFE, we wish our winemaking and vineyard teams a safe harvest season!

Our Human Resources team had a blast bonding at a recent cooking class! They stepped out of the office and into the kitchen, whipping up a delicious meal together. We’re proud of the dedication and hard work our HR team brings to TFE every day.

Happy National Intern Day! Our Summer Intern Program is in full swing with another wonderful group of 20 interns from 14 different colleges across the country. They have been busy immersing themselves in their functional areas and gaining valuable insights from winery tours and department overviews. We look forward to next month when they’ll showcase the remarkable work they’ve accomplished during their time at TFE through their project presentations. Cheers to our outstanding interns!

We’re thrilled to announce that Bandit Wines is now the Official Wine Partner of USA Pickleball! As the first-ever wine partner with USAP, we’re excited to connect with the dynamic pickleball community. Cheers to new adventures and great wine!