| News & Events | |
|
Fall/Winter 2002
General Winery News Wine Industry Profile Uncorked! From our Winemaker New Releases Special Report Personnel Corner |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Constantino Corro, “pillar” of the
 Born in 1955, Constantino Corro, known as “Tino,” came to this country in 1972 from a small city in the state of Oaxaca called San Marcos Arteaga. He grew up in a 3-room house made of adobe and tile, and shared it with 5 sisters, 5 brothers and his mother. The family was supported by his father, who had found work in the Napa Valley in the early ‘60s, and regularly sent money home. Tino also contributed, working as a stonemason in San Marcos from the age of 12.
In 1972, when he was 17, Tino’s father asked him if he wanted to work or stay in school. Tino opted to join his father in the Napa Valley, and for two years was employed by a vineyard management company before meeting Bulmaro Montes, JPV’s general manager of vineyard operations. In 1974 Bulmaro invited Tino to join the crew who was planting the new Phelps vineyards on the Spring Valley ranch. At the age of 22, Tino proposed to Josefina, his teenage sweetheart, and brought her to the Napa Valley from San Marcos. The couple have four children: Victor (24), Constantino (20), Luis (17) and Stephanie (2 1/2). “Tino will be 60 when Stephanie’s a teenager,” Bulmaro remarks. “Let’s hope it doesn’t give him a heart attack!” Today, Bulmaro describes Tino as “my right hand -- the pillar of the vineyard team. He’s smart and can operate and fix just about any equipment. We have no professional mechanic on staff and very seldom need the services of one.” When asked what is his favorite part of his job, Tino responds “I enjoy doing whatever I’m asked to do.” What about heat spells at harvest, or frost at 3:00 am or pruning in the rain? “It’s my work,” he says simply. “I’m more than happy to do it.” Bulmaro adds, “Being part of a team is what makes being here so special. Regardless of our titles, we all work together. Tino’s like family. I’m lucky to have had him at my side for the last 27 years.”  Phelps Preferred Expands
In addition to Phelps Preferred duties, JPV's Customer Service Dept. has been enlarged to handle wine orders, research shipping questions and answer customer queries in general. The expanded staff (from left to right) is Meredith Maxwell, Neta Thornell, Victoria Field and Molly Britton, Director of Customer Service.
|
Back to Top
Back to News & Events
|
| The Winery | Wines | Shopping | News and Events | Links | Phelps Preferred | Contact us | Home |