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Winter 2000 Newsletter
General Winery News Special Report Uncorked! New Releases Awards and Reviews Personnel Corner |
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Personnel Corner:
Manuel Zaragoza Shoulders Supervisory
Juan Manuel Zaragoza has a lot on his plate. In 1998, he joined Joseph Phelps' vineyard team as supervisor of the new Sonoma County property at Freestone, where 55 acres were planted to vineyard. Currently, Manuel is overseeing the development of erosion control measures at Quail Hill and seems completely unfazed by the responsibility.
"I get along with everybody," he remarks -- "or at least I try to." A lot has been accomplished under his supervision at both the Freestone and Quail Hill vineyards, with vines having been planted at Freestone this year, and planting scheduled for Quail Hill after the rains in the spring of 2001. When asked what he likes most about the job, his answer is simple. "Everything," he laughs. "Even in winter. I love to work outside. I love the rain. Every day that it rained last year I went over to check drainage. This winter will be even more work because there's the new vineyard at Quail Hill." |
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Manuel was born in Mexicali, Mexico in 1953, one of 8 children. He grew up helping his father pick cotton on weekends until his father moved to Mesa, Arizona in the mid-60's to work in the citrus groves. In 1967, Manuel's mother joined her husband, bringing with her Manuel, one other son, and one daughter. The rest of the family joined them in 1969, when they all moved to Napa and Mr. Zaragoza went to work first for Mondavi and later for Beringer. Manuel was 16 and began to learn vineyard work from his father. At 19, he went to work for Christian Bros., where he stayed for seven years until moving to Domaine Chandon. There he worked 21 years, holding the title of supervisor for the last 18. "I was in charge of 17 guys except dur-ing harvest, when the number went up to 48 or 50." | ||
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He notes that working for a sparkling wine facility is completely different than working for a still wine producer -- "Sparkling wine grapes are picked much sooner, at around 18° Brix. Still wine grapes stay on the vine longer and the vines require more care -- it's more complicated. I have a lot to learn."
He seems to be well on his way along the learning curve, and with his intelligence and enthusiasm has already proved a valuable asset to the vineyard and production arm of the winery. Manuel lives in Napa with his wife, Carmen, and two stepchildren, Yissel and Alex. He has four children from a previous marriage - Maria, Aida, Vicenta and Juan, Jr. - and five grandchildren.  Back
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