Oakville’s Far Niente announces promotions in winemaking, vineyard teams – Napa Valley Register

FOR THE STAR

Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards has announced a series of promotions within its winemaking and vineyard management teams.

Andrew Delos has been promoted to vice president of winemaking of the wineries; Michael Accurso has been tapped as the winemaker for the recently launched Post & Beam; and Brooke Bobyak has been named winemaker for Bella Union winery.

Additionally, John McCarthy has joined the company as director of viticulture. His role is integrated with the winemaking team, reporting directly to Delos, to continue to ensure optimal vineyard sourcing and growing of the highest quality fruit for each winery.

“We’re always seeking to strengthen our team, and we believe that promoting talent from within is the best way to provide each of our wineries with a dedicated, experienced winemaker who has been trained to our high expectations of quality,” said Steve Spadarotto, CEO. “Andrew, Michael, and Brooke have all been integral to our winemaking for years, and we’re thrilled to retain continuity and great talent that will keep our wineries moving forward and focused on crafting luxury wines of excellence.”

Delos joined the company in 2004 as enologist and was soon promoted to assistant winemaker at Nickel & Nickel. In 2006, he became the originating winemaker for EnRoute, the company’s Russian River Valley Pinot Noir winery. Delos was promoted to director of winemaking in 2018.

Accurso will now serve as winemaker for Post & Beam and remains winemaker for EnRoute. He was previously the winemaker for both EnRoute and Bella Union. Accurso trained Bobyak, who joined the company as enologist for EnRoute and also served as assistant winemaker at Bella Union and Nickel & Nickel, and has now been promoted to winemaker for Bella Union.

“Napa Valley is what brought me into the wine industry; I feel privileged to work with the greatest grapes in the world,” said Bobyak. “I’m really excited to take on this role at Bella Union and to continue working among the vineyards I’ve called my office for the last three years.”

This long-term investment in cultivating a skilled winemaking team has been employed by the wineries for decades; Nicole Marchesi, winemaker for Far Niente, was hired as an enologist in 2005 and has served as winemaker since 2009. Greg Allen, winemaker for Dolce, joined Far Niente as an intern, then worked as assistant winemaker for Dolce, and was promoted to winemaker in 2001.

McCarthy joins as director of viticulture, in charge of farming internal and external vineyards. John previously served as vineyard manager for Antinori California, where he oversaw the cultivation of ultra-premium Atlas Peak AVA fruit. Prior to that, John was the vineyard manager for Beckstoffer Vineyards. He also sits on the board of directors for the Lake County Winegrape Commission.

“Our goal has always been to grow the highest quality grapes possible in order to produce outstanding wines,” said Delos. “Bringing John on board will enable us to continue to focus on what we do best — making great wines, year after year, and dedicating ourselves to constant improvement.”

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