Robert Smith Email and Phone Number

Provide leadership, focus and continual development to the winemaking team. Manage and execute the continued production of high-scoring, high-quality wines. Work closely with owners, the estate vineyard manager (Michael Wolf), and consulting winemaker (Philippe Melka) in the goals, planning and execution of the business plan. Manage production and property management budgets including yield forecasts, equipment and materials needs, capital projects, barrel usage and employee compensation. Developed capital expenditure recommendations for winemaking and cellar upgrades, ensuring that all expenditures were managed within the annual budget. Am solely responsible for all aspects of day to day winemaking. Represent Quixote Winery in the market at various tastings and events.

Managed the daily cellar operations under winemaker Julien Fayard. Worked directly with winemaker to manage and execute all aspects of production from harvest through bottling. Responsible for hiring, supervising, training, mentoring all interns. Supervised grape receiving, crushing, pressing and wine production operations during harvest. Performed all wine operations year-round. Responsible for maintaining inventory, compliance, recordkeeping and OSHA preparedness.

Managed day-to-day operations and winemaking at the direction of the winemaker (Aaron Pott.) Monitored quality control of cellared wines, monthly chemical and sensory analysis, scheduling bottling and ordered all supplies, executing contracts with all vendors. Estimated crop loads and worked with our vineyard manager. Monitored fruit maturity development and assisted the consulting winemaker (Aaron Pott) in determining harvest dates. Manage small-lot tank, bin and puncheon fermentations.

Travel throughout California territory to showcase wines to select accounts, receive orders, track orders from Chambers & Cambers’ main supply facility to client. Maintain the highest level of customer relations and satisfaction.