Our Team
![Jeff Cichocki - Director of Winemaking](https://www.bonterra.com/wp-content/uploads/Bonterra_Portrait_B_MG_8878_Proof-1024x683.jpg)
Director of Winemaking
Jeff Cichocki
Born in Ohio and raised in southern California, Jeff headed north to Sonoma State University to earn a degree in Environmental Studies at a time when it was an emerging field rife with opportunity.
But Jeff was in Sonoma, and the lure of the vine is great. Especially if you’re an environmental planner who wants to dig even deeper into the local ecology. He began his transition as an apprentice in the cellar of Mill Creek Winery in Healdsburg, moving quickly to Cellar Master at Matanzas Creek Winery in Bennett Valley. Jeff’s theme was seeking out small family wineries that crafted fine wines with an eye towards being good stewards to the environment.
He moved on to Cakebread Cellars in Napa and B.R. Cohn in Sonoma Valley before taking on winemaking duties at Mendocino’s Jeriko Estate Winery in Hopland, a winery, not far from Bonterra’s McNab Ranch, that produces a variety of certified organic wines.
Jeff joined the team at Bonterra in 2007 and has been an incredible – and ongoing – wealth of knowledge and inspiration for our group.
Beyond Bonterra, Jeff’s three desert island songs are High and Dry – Radiohead, Simple Song – Shins, Do You Realize? – Flaming Lips (all enjoyed with a nice beer, of course).
![Sebastian Donoso - Organic and Biodynamic Winemaker](https://www.bonterra.com/wp-content/uploads/Sebastian-1024x683.jpg)
Organic & Biodynamic Winemaker
Sebastian Donoso
A passion for organic and sustainable practices infuses every aspect of Sebastian Donoso’s work as a winemaker for Bonterra Organic Vineyards. Sebastian grew up around vineyards in his native Chile, ultimately deciding to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology and Viticulture at California State University, Fresno. At CSU Fresno, Sebastian further refined his craft working under John Giannini, lead winemaker at Fresno State Winery and head of the school’s globally recognized enology and viticulture program.
Sebastian joined Bonterra Organic Vineyards in early 2017 from Campovida, a family-owned winery in Hopland, California, where he established an acclaimed winemaking program based on small-lot, vineyard-designated wines from organic and biodynamic Mendocino County vineyards
Sebastian collaborates closely with Jeff Cichocki, lead winemaker for Bonterra Organic Vineyards, helping to shape the long-term vision for the company’s growing organic and biodynamic winemaking program.
![Joseph Brinkley - Director of Organic and Biodynamic Vineyards Joseph Brinkley](https://www.bonterra.com/wp-content/uploads/Joseph-Brinkley-1-1024x683.jpg)
Director of Organic & Biodynamic Vineyards
Joseph Brinkley
Joseph Brinkley, who holds a degree in Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University, was working for the Federal Reserve in Richmond, Virginia when he realized he would rather get his hands dirty than work in an office. He went back to school, the second time attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture in 2003.
Following graduation, Joseph worked with a number of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms while complementing his education with workshops at Virginia’s Josephine Porter Institute, an internationally acclaimed educational facility that advances education and research in Biodynamics. “I was enjoying learning the details of farming land, including best practices for compost and soil management—and gaining insight to anything that contributed to the overall health of the farm,” Joseph remarks.
Today, Joseph’s contributions and expertise, including his extensive knowledge of Biodynamic preparations, contribute to ongoing excellence at Bonterra.
Q&A With Joseph:
1. If you could only have one food for the rest of your life….what would it be?
Pie!
2. Desert Island Album?
Talking Blues – BMW
3. The Dreadlocks: You must have some good stories….will you share one?
I was visiting some good friends in VA, and their daughter (probably 4 or 5 at the time) was checking out my dreads and said (in her cute VA accent), “You look like you’ve got a bunch of cockleburs in your hair!”
4. Favorite cocktail? Do you have a recipe or secret ingredient?
I love a good Old Fashioned – with good bourbon and a citrus twist.
![Bob Blue - Founding Winemaker](https://www.bonterra.com/wp-content/uploads/Bonterra_Portrait_C_MG_9078_Proof-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Founding Winemaker
Bob Blue
Bob Blue is a pioneer in the organic wine arena and the founding winemaker for Bonterra, with deep roots in Mendocino’s vineyards. A trail blazer in organic viticulture, who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 25-year dedication to sustainable vineyard management in The Drinks Business Green Awards 2014.
Ironic, given that he grew up in a family of tee‐totalers in Lake County, California. His first taste of wine, in fact, happened on another continent. Bob joined the Army after high school and his world was opened when traveling through Germany as a GI. After graduating from UC-Davis, Bob joined Mendocino County’s McDowell Valley Vineyards and progressed through the lab and cellar.
In 1988 Bob joined what he now calls “Fetzer University,” where he apprenticed and was mentored by legendary California winemakers Paul Dolan and Dennis Martin. He traveled to Bordeaux, Burgundy and on to Australia and the Rhone, broadening his knowledge and sense of style. As General Manager of Fetzer’s Hopland Winery, he continued to influence winemaking and was made Red Varietal Winemaker before being named Winemaker for Bonterra.
Beyond Bonterra, Bob is a passionate table tennis player. He even has a table tennis robot, which has trained him to play ambidextrously!