Hugo Sanchez - Line Cook:   Hugo is a breakfast and lunch cook.  He prepares condiments for his and other stations such as granola, fruits, vegetables, sauces, etc...all of the necessities of running a successful kitchen for the restaurant.

He is married to his wife, Maria, and has two children.  He has a boy 3, and a girl 1 1/2.   When he is working, he says he is thinking to himself that he is doing this for his family.  When asked what do you do during your time off?   He says he helps his wife at home and watches the children instead of television.   He is very devoted to his family.

Joyce Chu - Bar Back and Wine Tasting Server:   Joyce makes sure all of the wine servers are completely stocked with whatever they need.    She fills in where ever she is needed in the tasting room.   She does wine tasting on Sundays for the customers.  Joyce has been with the winery since the beginning when only the tasting room was open in the winery and the resort was being built.

When asked what she does during her time off, she said, "Shop, Girlfriend!"    She enjoys gardening, dancing, and very involved with family.   Nursing was her profession before the winery.

Damien Sampson - Banquet and Line Cook:   Damien's work consists of checking, preparing and cooking the banquet needs for the week of upcoming events.   If needed he helps out for lunch on the line for the restaurant.   He also does the preparing and cooking for the wine club event on Wednesday evening.

When he isn't working, he likes to hang out with his friends, ride bikes, football and basketball games, and wine tasting.

Danny Alvarez - Tasting Room Wine Server:   Danny serves and suggests wine to the guests.   He says he provides and promotes genuine customer service.  Danny always wants to make guests feel welcome.

When he isn't working, he plays blues, rock, and classical guitar.  He plays professionally and just played classical guitar at the spa for a very special event.  Danny also enjoys mountain bike riding and the beach.  He say he's a "Southern California boy in and out."

John Valentine - Lab Chemist:   John is in charge of the lab.  He checks all of the wines for chemical properties such as total acid, PH, sugar, and alcohol.   He has worked with Jon McPherson the Master Wine Maker, for 20 years in wine country.

When he isn't busy checking the wines, he is interested in photography.  John is married to his wife, Lori.  When asked how long he has been married, he said since 7-7-77.  His wife is a retired elementary school teacher and principal.

Brenda Ruocco - Director of Wholesale Operations:    Brenda's work consists of selling our wines to retail and wholesale markets.  She says it is another way to reach customers and wine club members who cannot get to the winery.   Her goal is to expand the winery in the local region, national, and international.   After the first 10 months, she has reached that goal.  

In her spare time, Brenda loves to garden and spend time with her husband, Gianni, and her two dogs.   She is a marathon runner and has completed two marathons...Marine Corps Marathons in Washington, DC, which is the area she is from.   Brenda has a BS in Business from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, which is the oldest college in the U.S.

Looking north at Big Bear Mountain                                                                                 2003 Harvester 

400 Acre Ranch-Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyard

Javier Flores - Winemaker                                                                                      Merlot Grapes

 Jon McPherson, Master Winemaker

 Chardonnay Grapes

The new 2008 Harvester from France in the Carter Estate Vineyards 

 Jon McPherson, Master Winemaker, with his crew harvesting chardonnay grapes.  We have many, many varieties.  Enjoy the pics.

We attended a reception for John McCain in San Diego.   Jon Voight is speaking next to him.  

It's that time of year, again!   Please join us for the Wild Women of Wine Country luncheon for Michelle's Place-a breast cancer resource center.  The date is October 7th at 11:30 am at South Coast Winery.  We will be auctioning off dinner with three area firefighter companies for 8-10 women each, auction for six women to have lunch with our winemakers, an auction for lunch with our chef, fashion show, silent auction, other goodies, plus surprises we can't talk about because they are a secret, and do you like pink feather boas?!   You can make a reservation by calling us at 951-587-9463 x7210, or contact www.michellesplace.org  By the way, the cost is only $15.00 per person...credit card only payment at the time of the reservation.       This is the largest event of the year given for the Wild Women of Wine Country.  Everyone who attends talks about it for months after.

Thanks and see you there!!!