OUR TEAM
Marco
Cappelli - Winemaker
Marco Cappelli is our winemaker and an extraordinarily gifted
one at that. He is a University of California – Davis
graduate in enology and disciple of Andre Tcheslicheff which
makes him both a new and old school vintner, a technician and
an artist, the perfect combination for Miraflores. His accolades
include directorship of winemaking at Swanson Vineyards in Rutherford,
Saintsbury Winery in Carneros, as well as practical training
in Italy, France and Australia.
While his credentials are impressive, Marco
was chosen as much for his philosophical approach to the art
of winemaking, as for his technical mastery of it. His beliefs
run deep in his lifestyle: wine is part of life, life is part
of wine.
Marco tends his own vineyards in El Dorado
County where he can often be seen digging holes for planting,
pruning the vines, repairing vineyard systems and other onerous
duties …. hard labor is truly good for the soul.
It is widely accepted that great wines start
in the vineyard and Marco is as comfortable walking the rows
as he is blending the varietals. But, there is also a touch
of art, maybe even alchemy, at work to create opulent wines.
Rick
Wickham – Vineyard manager
Rick Wickham is our dedicated vineyard manager, the man whose
hands plant, nourish and tend our vines. He has a profound relationship
with the land – as a child, he lived, worked and played
on his family homestead farm just a few miles from Miraflores
Winery.
We ask Rick to cultivate our vineyards and
allow the grapes to imbibe a sense of place – of terroir
– which is ultimately reflected in our wines. With unequivocal
determination, he ensures that the vineyards deliver quality
fruit. Rick is supported by an amazing vineyard crew, whose
values run as deep as the roots of the vines. Together they
carefully nurture the vineyards that are paramount to the success
of Miraflores.
Hardwork and dedication aside, Rick is a
sage man. There is no better person than he to truly appreciate
the noble work of farming. His relentless focus on excellence
is reflected in each bottle of Miraflores wines.
