AUTHENTIC WINE
TRUE TO ITS ROOTS
LIST OF TEAM MEMBERS:
JOSE GARCIA // RODOLFO GARCIA // MANUEL SALDIVAR // SANCHEZ FAMILY // JOEL AIKEN // GEOFF HANSEN // CYNTHIA KIRK // GARY MORISOLI // MELODY MORISOLI // CHRISTOPHER MORISOLI
JOSE GARCIA
VINEYARD FOREMAN
RODOLFO GARCIA
TRACTOR DRIVER
Rodolfo is from Los Haro-Jerez, Zacatecas in the center of Mexico. He followed his brother Jose to Napa after working his families Peach and Plum farm as a kid. He married Alma in 1992, and together they have three children: Gerrardo, Jorge, Monica. Rodolfo can regularly be found driving the caterpillar tractor, discing the ground, sulfuring, pruning, or suckering and running the tractor during harvest. In his off-time he loves to go back home to Mexico and help on his family’s farm. No good practical joke eludes Rodolfo and often Gary will find his blue bicycle hidden in a grapevine or the keys to the four-wheeler mysteriously gone. His drink of choice is a Corona or a bold Napa Cabernet.
RODOLFO GARCIA
TRACTOR DRIVER
Rodolfo is from Los Haro-Jerez, Zacatecas in the center of Mexico. He followed his brother Jose to Napa after working his families Peach and Plum farm as a kid. He married Alma in 1992, and together they have three children: Gerrardo, Jorge, Monica. Rodolfo can regularly be found driving the caterpillar tractor, discing the ground, sulfuring, pruning, or suckering and running the tractor during harvest. In his off-time he loves to go back home to Mexico and help on his family’s farm. No good practical joke eludes Rodolfo and often Gary will find his blue bicycle hidden in a grapevine or the keys to the four-wheeler mysteriously gone. His drink of choice is a Corona or a bold Napa Cabernet.
MANUEL SALDIVAR
VINEYARD WORKER
Manuel Saldivar from Los Haro-Jerez, Zacatecas in the center of Mexico. He comes from a family of farmers who raised cattle and peaches at their ranch in Los Haros-Jerez. He has three children: Samantha, Raul and April. In his off time Manuel likes to work on his car and ride around on his bicycle. His drink of choice is a Modelo Especial after a long day in the vineyard.
JOEL AIKEN
WINEMAKER
Joel Aiken is a native of Fresno, California, where his family farmed peaches on their 15-acre ranch. Graduating UC Davis in 1983 with a M.S. in Enology, Joel’s thesis focused on the difference between French vs American Oak Barrels effects on Cabernet Sauvignon. Working for Beaulieu Vineyards during this time, Joel was quickly promoted to Winemaker in 1985, only the third in Beaulieu’s history. He regularly worked with greats such as André Tchelistcheff and developed an incredible expertise for making wine from Rutherford. After leaving Beaulieu Vineyards in 2009, Joel started his winemaking consulting business and has made Morisoli Wine since 2018.
JOEL AIKEN
WINEMAKER
Joel Aiken is a native of Fresno, California, where his family farmed peaches on their 15-acre ranch. Graduating UC Davis in 1983 with a M.S. in Enology, Joel’s thesis focused on the difference between French vs American Oak Barrels effects on Cabernet Sauvignon. Working for Beaulieu Vineyards during this time, Joel was quickly promoted to Winemaker in 1985, only the third in Beaulieu’s history. He regularly worked with greats such as André Tchelistcheff and developed an incredible expertise for making wine from Rutherford. After leaving Beaulieu Vineyards in 2009, Joel started his winemaking consulting business and has made Morisoli Wine since 2018.
GEOFF HANSEN
PHOTOGRAPHER
Geoff Hansen is a man of many talents originally from Sacramento, California. A retired attorney and judge, Geoff traded in his gavel for a camera and now lives in Napa where he photographs all aspects of the wine industry and landscapes of Napa Valley. He is exceptionally sought after for his photography even though he claims it is just a retirement hobby. In addition to being behind the lens, Geoff enjoys traveling the Western United States in search of good fishing holes and ski mountains with his wife Kathy and Golden Retriever, Duncan.
THE MORISOLI FAMILY
GARY, MELODY & CHRISTOPHER
Gary Morisoli is the fourth-generation Morisoli. Raised in Rutherford and St. Helena, he grew up from a very young age working in the vineyard with his Grandfather Plinio and Grandmother Clementine. While still managing Plinio’s vineyard, he began his own vineyard management company, managing over 300 acres on the Rutherford Bench. Gary managed iconic vineyards including; Bosche, Hewitt, Greer, Grgich, Godward, Inglenook, JJ Cohn and Sycamore. Focusing now on his vineyard only, Gary can still be found on the tractor or checking on the vineyard while riding around on his blue bicycle. He enjoys restoring old tractors and jeeps and generally prefers a Pepsi to wine, but he has been known to have a fantastic palate.
Melody Morisoli is a third-generation St. Helenan. Her father Melvin “Pappy” Eisan and her mother Gertrude owned Mel’s Clothing, a staple in the town for men’s wear. She grew up playing around her grandparent’s ranch and chicken farm on White Sulphur Springs. After marrying Gary, she worked in insurance for many years in St. Helena before deciding to stay closer to home. She describes her job as the chief Gopher (go-for) as she constantly helps with the behind-the-scenes work. Melody prefers a cup of tea over wine most every day.
Christopher Morisoli is the fifth-generation Morisoli. Growing up on free-range on Niebaum Lane, he was always driving a tractor, helping his dad fix things, or racing around on a four-wheeler. After becoming a volunteer and seasonal firefighter during college, Chris decided to join the Army to become a MEDEVAC Pilot in 2006. After 12 years of active duty in Alaska, Honduras, Hawaii, Afghanistan, Iraq and a few other countries, Chris decided it was time to come back home. Now his job title is “Tractor Pilot,” given to him by his dad upon his return. His drink of choice; Negroni.
