Aaron DeBeers

Grape and Wine Consultant
Vinoptic
Custom Viticulture and Winemaking Consultants

P.O. BOX 3433

Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone: (707) 326-3103

Course(s): VIN 280 - Winery Establishment and Design

A native of San Francisco, Aaron has held top management and production positions at a number of vineyards and wineries in California. Under his consulting company Vinoptic, he has consulted for companies on both the east and west coasts.

He began his wine career in viticulture services under the tutelage of Steve Matthiasson working with premier Napa and Sonoma wineries such as Paul Hobbs, Duckhorn, and Opus One, among others. Later, at Gallo Vineyards, Aaron helped the company gain the world’s first-evervineyardISO certification (which includes sustainability practices) for their Monte Rosso Vineyard.

Aaron has been the director of vineyard operations at Keller Estate; director of vineyard operations and winemaking at D’Ambrosio Vineyards and Verismo Wines; and head winemaker at Glimpse, Stretto, Stella, and Argo Navis. He also teaches a course on “Practical Vineyard Management” in Sonoma State University’s Wine Business department.

In short, Aaron really knows his way around a vineyard and a winery. Aaron is actively involved in all aspects of the wine industry: vineyard operations, winemaking, brand development, marketing, sales, and staff training. But in keeping with his start in the industry, Aaron still looks to the vineyard first: “I feel that most of winemaking begins in the vineyard—and when a particular vineyard is producing premium fruit, then stellar wines will follow.”