201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
By Patrick Baker
After all the harvest scheduling, logistics, and chaos come to completion with fruit nice and safely tucked into the nooks and crannies of wineries, the real winemaking magic happens.
If you were in or near the California wildfires this season as we were, our hat’s off to you. The business of winemaking has been made even more dangerous and in some instances disastrous than any other year in recent memory. Like many, we were working to support our customers remotely as our office and homes were evacuated.
Donations can be made to wildfire relief here.
Most of us involved in the dayâtoâday winemaking process recognize now as the critical time to focus, skills honed, on the winemaking “season”. All the logistics, preâplanning for barrels, equipment and perhaps some technical experimentation are in action and full throttle. It’s a little daunting and there are still many risks at hand, namely; equipment failures, stuck fermentations, supply shortages, staff scheduling and a host of other potentials. You’re expecting some of these because you used last year’s team wrap up meeting to mitigate in prep for this year.
I’m guessing few of us were expecting wildfires and natural disaster declarations, so our wrap up meetings this year will definitely include some not so often discussed topics.
I’m a big fan of a full team meeting around the conclusion of the last pressings/barrel down, to
brainstorm what went right, what broke or needs attention before use again. It’s a time for everyone’s ego to be checked at the door so we can get a full candid report. This meeting usually precludes a sigh of relief as we near the holiday season and enjoy a brief respite before the new year and new growing season. This conclusionary meeting also provides a backdrop for winemaking and senior staff to consider what makes the cut for a potential shopping list for the next Unified Wine & Grape Show at the end of January annually.
As a winery GM I’ve always sorted the winery shopping list into two categories; things that make better wine, and things that improve efficiency and/or safety. It’s a balance to be sure, and with limited dollars I tend to research the heck out of options before I enter the tradeshow floor in January. The recent wildfires in California and past natural disasters (read, earthquakes) are an excellent reminder for emergency contingency planning to make the list. Grapes, wines and the winemaking season don’t pause for natural disasters, so having a good plan in place BEFORE an event is key. That means premeditated access to critical systems, equipment and data.
At vintrace we are helping customers daily with insurance claim wine asset information and reports, as well as assisting where we can with any customers and colleagues directly affected by the fires. We hope you’re safe and well this harvest and we look forward to working together as an industry to rebuild.
Donations can be made to wildfire relief here.
After a successful career in corporate America, I transitioned to the wine industry and have become an industry veteran with 10+ years experience as a grower, winemaker, and winery General Manager.
My role as former General Manager for Carneros Vintners custom crush facility and sister facility Lodi Vintners, was the impetus for my investigation of winery production software options. My work with a variety of wineries exposed me to an array of winery software before deciding on the vintrace platform to run the custom crush facilities and since, a few small and larger boutique wineries. My hands on winery experience and real life use of vintrace are the foundation of my success representing the vintrace software platform in North America.
Greg joined Ciatti in 1994 and became a partner in 1997. Greg has used his degree in International Relations to build Ciatti into the world recognized leader in the alcohol beverage business. Greg is currently the President and CEO of the company and drives the international group.
Steve Dorfman joined Ciatti in 2007 after working with the Brown-Forman Corporation, Fetzer Vineyards, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Bolla Wine brands for 24 years. His primary responsibilities are wine and grape sales within California, and the supply demands of markets throughout Europe, South Africa and Australia.
Ciatti has a long history of seeking to provide clients with a well rounded team of brokers whose experience in the industry cover the breadth of the business. John joined the company in 2003 after working as a Winemaker for several of California's major producers for 20 years. John's emphasis is maintaining relationships with California wineries ranging from the largest to the smallest. John has focused on all aspects of growth within the business, from long-term custom crush contracts to spot bulk wine and grape sales. His speciatly is the sourcing and selling of premium varietal lots from the coastal and interior regions of California.
Chris Welch joined Ciatti in 1994, and began brokering bulk wine and grapes in 2003 and became a partner in company in 2007. The premium and super premium segment of the California wine industry are the breeding grounds of innovation and where Chris truly excels. His consistent approach helps small and medium size wineries and negotiants achieve the innovation and growth they seek. Chris also works very closely with the Oregon Wine Industry.
Glenn Proctor joined Ciatti in 2003 and became a partner in 2007. Glenn advises wineries on supply positioning and works closely with growers and wineries in marketing their grapes and wine. He specializes in spot and contract bulk wine and grapes sales from all regions of California. He has over 23 years of experience in wine supply strategy, wine-grape quality improvement, brand strategy, and business development. Glenn was previously the Vice President of Winegrowing for Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, and before that was a Director at Benziger/Glen Ellen Winery during its rapid growth in the early 1990's.
Johnny Leonardo joined Ciatti in 2004 as a broker and knows that surviving in a dynamic wine industry requires one to be a Jack-of-all-Trades. He has experience in all aspects of winery and vineyard operation, from the field to the street. Johnny has developed and managed vineyards, and worked in wine sales and marketing.
Andy joined Ciatti as a broker in 1996. His areas of expertise and responsibility include grape and fruit concentrates, beverage and industrial alcohol, fruit alcohol and brandy, and food specialty products. Andy's knowledge of these products has allowed him to branch out and work throughout various parts of the world including Mexico, South America and Europe. Andy remains a wealth of knowledge and offers a creative approach to all endeavors.
Todd Azevedo joined Ciatti in 2004 after completing his Agricultural Finance degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Although Todd brokers wine, grapes, and wine products throughout the state of California, Todd's focus is on the California Central Coast.
Joined Ciatti in 2011.
Molly Richardson
Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts
Joined Ciatti in 2016
Email: Molly@ciatti.com
Joined Ciatti in 2000.
Customer Account Representative - Sample Room
Joined Ciatti in 2013.
Email: michael@ciatti.com
Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Partner/Broker | John Ciatti | john@ciatti.com | 4152640762 | |
Partner/Broker | Steve Dorfman | steve@ciatti.com | 7073213843 | |
Partner/Broker | Greg Livengood | greg@ciatti.com | 4154975032 | |
Partner/Broker | Glenn Proctor | glenn@ciatti.com | 7073370609 | |
Partner/Broker | Chris Welch | chris@ciatti.com | 4152988316 | |
Partner/Broker | John White | johnw@ciatti.com | 4152500685 | |
Broker | Todd Azevedo | todd@ciatti.com | 4152656943 | |
Broker | Johnny Leonardo | johnny@ciatti.com | 4157174438 | |
Broker | Dennis Schrapp | dennis@ciatticanada.com | 9059338855 |
Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
---|---|---|---|---|
CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers | 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato | CA | United States of America | 94949 |