Winemaker: Sean Foster

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, winemaker Sean Foster is the epitome of the practical winemaker. While studying biochemical engineering at UCLA, he occasionally brewed beer to enjoy with friends and began to drink wine, but never with the thought that this would someday become his profession. The call to the wine industry came in 1992 when Foster's grandfather, who lived in the Napa Valley, helped him get a job during harvest. Interestingly enough, he got his start at Merryvale. He became enthralled with the winemaking process during crush, working under then winemaker Bob Levy. After harvest, he returned to UCLA for a short time, only to leave during his final year to accept a full time job in the industry. Foster's career has come full circle, now back at Merryvale as the Senior Winemaker for both Starmont and Merryvale wines. He works closely with Winemaker Graham Wehmeier, the winemaking staff and Viticulturist Remi Cohen to create wines that reflect Merryvale’s outstanding vineyard sources.