Foley Family Wines announced the appointment of Alison Crary Rodriguez as winemaker for Silverado Vineyards.
Foley Family Wines acquired the Napa Valley winery and estate in July, expanding the company’s luxury wine portfolio of iconic properties such as Chateau St. Jean, Chalk Hill Estates, Ferrari-Carano, Merus Estate, Chalone Vineyards, and more than 16 other estate wineries in top wine growing regions of Washington, Oregon, and California.
Rodriguez will oversee all winemaking activities for Silverado and its estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Coombsville, Yountville, and Napa AVAs.
The winery was founded in 1981 by the late Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney, and her husband the late Ron Miller. Rodriguez is just the third winemaker in Silverado’s history.
The Silverado portfolio of wines includes nationally distributed Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese, in addition to small production offerings for club members and winery guests.
Rodriguez brings over 25 years of wine industry experience that began with global sales and marketing roles at Gallo and vineyard and enology positions in the Rheingau, Alto Adige, and California.
Rodriguez’s winemaking experience includes acclaimed Northern California wineries such as Acacia, Sterling, Beringer, and most recently The Hess Collection. Rodriguez graduated from Duke University and Germany’s premier winemaking and viticulture school, Fachhochschule Wiesbaden – Geisenheim.
In her new role, Rodriguez will craft Silverado Vineyard’s flagship single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines such as GEO and SOLO, while expanding production of the core wines and developing new offerings for both club and Foley Food and Wine Society members.
“I am humbled to become part of a winery with worldwide renown that set the bar for Napa Valley,” Rodriguez commented. “Taking the helm includes equal parts admiration for the legacy established by the Disney-Miller family and excitement for a fresh take on all that our estate vineyards have to offer.”
“Alison’s well-rounded winemaking career is rooted in respect for different terroirs and sustainable farming,” said Courtney Foley, Foley Family Wines second-generation vintner. “Alison and her focus on environmental responsibility is an important part of the next chapter of winemaking and Foley Family Wines.”
Rodriguez will report to Sarah Quider, Foley Family Wines vice president of winemaking, and will be based at Silverado Vineyards in Yountville.
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