Groth Vineyards Hires Cameron Parry as Winemaker - Michael Weis to mentor coming vintages Groth Vineyards and Winery announces that Cameron Parry will join the team as winemaker effective July 7. Parry will head the winemaking team at this iconic, family-owned Oakville winery, founded in 1982 by Dennis and Judy Groth.“But not so fast…” said Dennis Groth, “At Groth Vineyards we take things slow and steady, allowing Mother Nature, the vines and time in the bottle to continually dictate how things go. And yes, after a celebrated 20-year tenure, renowned winemaker Michael Weis is setting his sights on the next phase of his life, but his exit will be slow and measured ensuring our wines have the gentle continuity that we’ve staked our reputation on. Cameron will be working hand-in-glove with Weis, reporting to Michael, to ensure a gentle passing of the torch over the coming years.”
Michael built upon the triumphs of the Groth family whose early successes included having their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon rated the first California wine with a perfect 100-point score by Robert Parker, Jr. He will continue on as Director of Winemaking through the succession.
Groth continued, “We were impressed with Cameron’s work at Chateau Montelena and found him to be the top candidate to lead our winemaking and vineyard management team into the future. We have great expectations of Cameron.”
Parry said, “For me, I am honored to be able to be part of such a great winemaking legacy -- making Cabernet at the epicenter of Napa Valley’s most esteemed Cabernet district. Working with these vineyards is an incredible opportunity and to take the reins along with Michael Weis is the best possible scenario. I have to say that Dennis is the man with the well-thought-out plan.”
The placement was made by The Cypress Group (www.cypress-grp.com) of St. Helena, California.
Groth Vineyards and Winery is widely respected for its estate-grown wines, particularly its bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Parry’s responsibilities will encompass not only wine production, but also coordination with vineyard manager of the 165 acres of estate vineyards. He will also work closely with Dennis and Judy’s daughter Suzanne Groth, VP Marketing and Sales.
PARRY BACKROUND:
Parry spent the last ten years at Chateau Montelena where he directed winemaking for the 50,000 case Calistoga winery and oversaw the redesign and construction of a new fermentation cellar. Parry’s career has included winemaking stints at Etude (Carneros), Vina de Larose (Cachapoal Valley, Chile), Sawyer Cellars (Rutherford), PlumpJack Winery (Oakville), Franciscan Estate (Rutherford) and Gundlach-Bundschu Winery (Sonoma).
Parry holds an M.S. degree in Food Science with an emphasis in Enology from the University of California, Davis. Parry is fluent in Spanish and has been a board member of the Napa Valley Wine Technical Group and serves on the Enology Grants Review Committee for the American Vineyard Foundation. When not making wine, Parry is an avid outdoorsman who loves rock climbing, canoeing, backpacking and cycling. He also enjoys gardening and cooking.
MORE ON GROTH:
Groth Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1982 by Dennis and Judy Groth in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley. The distinctive California Mission-style winery, designed by Robert Gianelli, is one of valley’s most iconic landmarks.
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CHEF AHRAN CHO – CONTESTANT, MASTERCHEF ON FOX
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ABOUT THE SHOW:
Host and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return for Season Five of the culinary smash hit MASTERCHEF, premiered Monday, May 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The three celebrated food experts will put the latest group of contestants through a series of challenging elimination rounds and turn one home cook into a culinary master.
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