Gabrielle O'Connell

Winemaker, O'Connell Family Wines

Gabrielle Leonhard O'Connell, is vintner and Director of Winemaking of O'Connell Family Wines, known for boutique, handcrafted, gold medal 94-point Cabernet Sauvignon from the O'Connell Family Estate Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. Gabrielle specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, and makes 7 wines in the Gabrielle Collection, each a distinctive blend- blending is her specialty & passion. Her wines have a loyal following of fine wine collectors worldwide.

Ms. Leonhard O'Connell is active in the wine industry including: a board member of Women for WineSense where she served as National Board President; a judge at the Mendocino Fair Wine Competition and at the first National Women's Wine Competition; honored as a leader in Sustainable Farming by Napa Valley Grape Growers.

She established the family estate CCOF Certified Organic vineyard and gardens to create a diverse eco-system to ensure overall vineyard health- one of only a few Napa Valley estate that is 100% organic. Gabrielle believes this complex environment sustains healthy organisms that maintain a naturally robust vineyard, which creates beautifully complex wines. The olive grove, orchard, lavender field, herb & vegetable garden produce culinary and lifestyle enhancing products, that embody the natural luxury of wine country living. These and innovative food & wine pairings will be featured for all to enjoy at their Napa downtown Tasting Boutique.

Gabrielle has another passion: Olive Oil. She has completed the certification curriculum at UC Davis to be an Olive Oil Taster; is founder of the Olive Oil Culinary Guild- a training program for chefs on olive oil sensory evaluation & quality; and of MOPREP- an organization to preserve the historic olive trees in California. She is currently authoring a The Ultimate Guide of American Olive Oil and grows historic Mission olives to produce GC Napa Valley Certified Organic Estate Extra Virgin Oil.

Country born: Germany

Education: Gabrielle Leonhard
UC Berkeley Batchelor of Arts
Napa Valley College Winemaking Program
UC Davis Olive Oil Sensory Evalution Program

Wayne O'Connell
UC Berkeley Bachelor of Science & Engineering
Napa Valley College Winemaking Program

Kyle Laird
Hands-on Assistant Winemaker at St Clement & Robert Craig.

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
We allow the grapes to speak of themselves and of the soil. Minimal intervention is key. The process of blending is a high priority. Our Cabernets usually have had 100 plus blending trials to achieve the balance and finesse we strive for in our wines.
Vibrant fruitiness that express terroir; finely grained and integrated tannins; elegance and moderate alcohol levels are signature attibutes of our wines.