Our Team

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).

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.

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.