Nicole Marchesi

Winemaker, Far Niente Winery

A graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at The University of California at Davis, Nicole Marchesi honed her skills in Sonoma and New Zealand before coming to Far Niente as an enologist in 2005. She was soon promoted to assistant winemaker, and 4 years later became the fourth winemaker in Far Niente's 30-year history. During her tenure, Marchesi has gained a deep understanding of our estate vineyards, working with the sites and individual blocks to bring forth the discrete character of each. Ultimately, Marchesi strives to create wines of elegance and depth that capture both place and vintage, while staying true to the Far Niente house style.

Country born: United States of America

Education: A graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at The University of California at Davis, Nicole Marchesi honed her skills in Sonoma and New Zealand

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
Marchesi strives to create wines of elegance and depth that capture both place and vintage

Thomas Rivers Brown

Winemaker, Far Niente Winery

Originally from Sumter, South Carolina, Thomas Rivers Brown made his way to Napa Valley in the mid-1990's, after graduating from the University of Virginia and traveling throughout France to study wine and terroir.

One of the country's top talents, Thomas was named 2010's winemaker of the year by Food & Wine magazine. He has been in Napa since 1997, where he began his career at Turley Cellars and now makes wines for select premium labels. Over the last decade, Thomas has received not just one but ten 100-point Wine Advocate Parker scores to go along with two 100-point awards from Wine Spectator. Beyond generosity and roundness in tannins, his wines have few common traits and are very individual.

Country born: USA

Education: University of Virginia

Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years

Winemaking Philosophy:
A non-interventionist style that eschews technology.