Farming the Napa Valley for 30 Years
At Fantesca, we consider ourselves quite fortunate to have had the advice and grape-growing passion of a number of great vineyard managers during our four-year history on Spring Mountain.
The property was originally planted to nine acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines in 1997 by long-time vineyard guru David Piña, whose experience planning and managing vineyards in the mountains that ring Napa Valley is legendary. The vineyard was subsequently farmed by a local company headed by Peter Nissen until 2004, when Susan and Duane Hoff became the new owners.
Early on, Susan and Duane hired Tom Prentice to be Fantesca’s vineyard manager. Like his predecessors on the property, Tom has his own stellar Napa Valley resume, having managed the farming operations for Dalla Valle, Screaming Eagle, and Colgin wineries.
The vineyard manager sets the direction, and the farming company executes it. Susan and Duane then hired the father-son team of Lupe and Hugo Maldonado to farm the vineyard because they know Spring Mountain and its terroir. Indeed, Lupe has farmed this mountain for 30 years as the vineyard manager for Newton Family Vineyards. And soon enough, a degree from UC Davis has allowed Lupe’s son Hugo to acquire an education that greatly complements his father’s expertise.
In 2008, Fantesca looks forward to another fine season with new vineyard manager Jim Barbour. Jim was raised in the Napa Valley grape-growing business and can today claim 30 years of experience in agribusiness. He attended the University of California, Davis and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science (Viticulture). Jim’s new relationship with Fantesca virtually assures many fine wine-sipping moments will be enjoyed by our friends far and wide.