Gustavo Gonzalez

Winemaker, Bell Wine Cellars, Hoopes Vineyard, Mira Winery

I grew up drinking wine with my family, who was in agriculture. My interest in wine as a career stemmed in part from my family's agriculture business. I saw wine as a way to be creative with agriculture. I also recall a bottle in my Dad's wine stash. It was a 1980s bottle from the Robert Mondavi Winery and it had a statement about wine that always stuck with me, starting with how wine has been with us since the start of civilization and its place as an integral part of our culture and "the gracious way of life." This view of wine was why I wanted to and did go to work for Robert Mondavi.

Through my 25+ years as a Napa Valley winemaker, I love that I am always learning something new. Every vintage is different and you have to learn how to adjust to those differences. That I am able to do that in Napa, a place with the unique combination of good climate and good soils and people interested in making the best wine possible, is a true blessing.

Mira Winery is where I bring everything I've learned and love about wine and winemaking together. Working in an area that produces some of the finest grapes in the world, I strive to allow those grapes to shine through in the wines we produce.

I am pleased with what we have produced so far and with the response to those wines. And, I am even more excited about where we are headed and what the future holds for Mira.

Country born: USA

Education: I was educated at both the University of California, Berkeley as well as the University of California, Davis. My mentors include Michel Rolland and the Robert Mondavi family.

Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years

Honors / Awards:
I was responsible for the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2001 Masseto which was described as "perhaps the greatest Tuscan red ever" and was given a 100 point rating by Wine Spectator.

Winemaking Philosophy:
I am a firm believer in terroir and subscribe to three fundamental tenets: creativity, intuition and know how.