Wine Portfolio

Tom Rinaldi

Winemaker, Pellet Estate

Raised in San Francisco, Tom made frequent trips to Napa on his motorcycle, buying wines directly from the wineries of the day. After four years in the Navy, Tom enrolled at UC Davis along with notable classmates Mike Martini, Tim Mondavi, Randy Dunn, and Bob Levy.

Tom's career began at Freemark Abbey, an experience he calls "a great job, and a great honor." In 1978, Tom became the founding winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards. After 22 vintages of creating some of Napa's most celebrated wines, Tom helped launch Provenance Vineyards and Hewitt Vineyard from the ground up. Tom's recent 2010 Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was named to the Wine Spectator's Top 10 in the world for 2013, and the #1 Wine in California.

Tom resides with his wife and daughter in St. Helena, where you will either find him in the vineyard, the cellar, or riding his bike throughout the Napa Valley.

Country born: United States

Education: UC Davis graduate, mentor to many many winemakers.

Years in the wine industry: 30+ years

Winemaking Philosophy:
To hand craft each wine appropriately to the vintage, the vineyard, and the varietal to result in the purest expression possible.