Gove Celio

Winemaker, Neal Family Vineyards

My love of the winemaking process began as a child in the early 1960's at our family's home in Cupertino. My father became passionate about home winemaking and from his experiences I learned the difference in wine quality as he progressed from Mission grapes to premium vinifera varietals, making a barrel or two every year in the garage. Seeing the rebirth the wine industry near my father's home town in the Sierra Nevada foothills renewed my interest in winemaking and prompted me to go back to school to study viticulture by the late 1970's. While studying during my first year at Santa Rosa Junior College, I started working as a vineyard manager and eventually moved to Howell Mountain, working on a ghost winery project with consultant Merry Edwards. After twenty eight years on Howell Mountain, I've been making wines for Mark Neal at Neal Family Vineyards the last thirteen vintages from ten of the sixteen Napa Valley AVA districts.

Country born: USA

Education: Viticulture degree from SRJC (Richard Thomas, program director, mentor). Apprenticed/Assistant winemaker for 10 years with Merry Edwards.

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Let the variety, vineyard and vintage speak for itself with as little natural input as necessary.