Mauricio was born and raised in Sonoma County. He is a fourth-generation farmer who gained an early appreciation for the land, he began working with his father in the vineyards in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley at the age of 14.
Mauricio, like Jim, has a day job that keeps him very busy as the General Manager for Beckstoffer Vineyards, Napa Valley. As a Vigneron his expertise is in both the farming and grape to glass craftsmanship. He is overseeing quality and fruit delivery of the George’s III Cabernet Sauvignon grapes as well as working alongside Winemaker, Chris Russi, on vinification. Mauricio says: “If I do my job well in the vineyard the wine will make itself with little intervention.”
Jim and Mauricio first met at Valdez Family Winery where Mauricio was the winemaker and responsible for custom crush clients which Jim was one of. This began a lasting friendship between the two and their families. Their friendship is built on the love of farming, great wine and mutual respect for each other’s strength in their fields. They often lean on each other for advice and mentorship.
When not in the vineyard or making wine, he is spending time with his family or golfing.
