Patrick Cappiello - Winemaker/Proprietor
Mr. Cappiello got his start in restaurants, his wine career beginning in 2002 when he became a Sommelier at Tribeca Grill. Over the course of the next 15 years his roles progressed to Wine Director and eventually restaurant owner. Thanks to his connections with countless winemakers including his current business partner, Pax Mahle, the transition to Winemaker was a natural progression for Cappiello.
His 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry and sommelier career has given him access to four of the world's greatest wine cellars, all of which have been recipients of Wine Spectators "Grand Award:" TriBeCa Grill, Veritas, GILT, and Pearl & Ash. Mr. Cappiello was named "Sommelier of the Year 2014" by Food & Wine Magazine, "Wine Person of the Year 2014" by Imbibe Magazine, and "Sommelier of the Year 2015" by Eater National. He has formerly held the title of Food & Wine Host for Playboy and was a founding member of Winemakers & Sommeliers for California Wildfire Relief.
His winemaking career started in 2018, under the watchful eye of Pax Mahle. Monte Rio Cellars focuses on heritage and classic California varieties and maintains a commitment to making wine naturally with no additives and with organic farming processes.
Mr. Cappiello and Mr. Mahle collaborate on two wineries: Skull Wines and the Piquette Project.
Jesus Aleman - Assistant Winemaker
Jesus grew up in Mexico and moved to San Joaquin county at the age of fifteen. He subsequently attended Sonoma State University where he discovered his passion for wine after learning about fermentation in a chemistry class. This led him to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Wine Business.
After graduating, Aleman moved back to the San Joaquin Valley to become assistant winemaker at Jessie’s Grove Winery, where he worked with some of the oldest vineyards in the country. He also continued his graduate studies during this time.
In 2023, Mr. Aleman finished his Master’s Degree in Wine Business from Sonoma State. In addition to his work as Assistant Winemaker with Monte Rio Cellars, he farms a Pinot Noir vineyard in West Sonoma County as well as an ancient-vine Flame Tokay vineyard in Lodi.