MEET OUR PEOPLE
Miles Berghold
Berghold Vineyards / Owner & Winemaker
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF WINE?
As far back as I can remember, my father always had a bottle of wine in a brown bag sitting on the dinner table. He would quiz me on the aroma and flavor profiles as well as its origins. My best friend’s family owned Thomas Fogerty Winery and as young as five, I remember how we would romp through the surrounding vineyards and woods. Later, I worked for one year at my friend’s winery with the winemaker at the time, Michael Martella.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF YOUR JOB AS A WINEMAKER?
As a winemaker, come mid-October, you are tired and burnt out from harvest. What’s worse, you know you’re not finished so you have to push through. Harvest is a marathon; it becomes a mental game.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VINEYARDS AND THE WINEGRAPES YOU GROW TODAY.
We farm 72 acres and grow Viognier, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Merlot, and Petite Sirah.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MENTOR IN YOUR CAREER?
I can't say that there is one most influential individual in my career. There are three. First there is Michael Martella who I worked with at Thomas Fogarty Winery. He was extremely innovative in winery operations and production and was very technical and hands-on with the wines. Second, there is the late Tim Spencer who had the complete opposite philosophy of letting the grapes do the work and only intervening when necessary. Lastly, there is the late Ken Fugelsang, a professor at Fresno State enology program, who really bridged the gap between the first two individuals and brought everything full circle for me.
WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?
Hands down, filing paperwork.
