Bill Foley Appoints New Winemaker At Chalk Hill Estate

Steve Nelson will continue the world-class tradition at the renowned estate located in the Chalk Hill/Russian River Valley AVA.

News provided by

Foley Family Wines

Mar 04, 2015, 05:00 ET

HEALDSBURG, Calif., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Foley announced today that Steve Nelson has been appointed Winemaker at Chalk Hill Estate, effective immediately. Steve will manage all aspects of winemaking and production.

For the past three years, Steve has been the Assistant Winemaker at Lewis Cellars in Napa. Prior to that Steve was the Assistant Winemaker at Sebastiani, making wines with Mark Lyon for three years. His other experience includes three vintages as Harvest Enologist with Joel Gott Wines and another vintage with Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa. In addition, Steve has had international harvest internships with Henschke Cellars in the Barossa Valley of Australia and Ceretto Fratelli in Piedmont, Italy. With a Master of Science degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis, Steve brings over 10 years of winemaking experience to Chalk Hill Estate, along with very strong technical knowledge and experience. Steve explained, "Chalk Hill Estate is an incredible property, known for its rich history of producing a wide variety of luxury, estate-driven wines. I am thrilled to continue this tradition and to be able to work with all the estate has to offer."

Bill Foley, Proprietor of Foley Family Wines, added, "Steve brings a very well rounded skill set to Chalk Hill. He's made a variety of luxury wines, worked with vintages all over California and around the world, and has trained under very strong winemakers. I am excited to have him join our team."

Steve currently lives in Sonoma and when he's not making wine, he enjoys hiking and spending time with his wife and two young children.

About Foley Family Wines
Foley Family Wines was established by Bill Foley in 1996 with the acquisition of Lincourt Vineyards in California's Santa Ynez Valley. Since then, Foley Family Wines has grown to become a major producer, marketer and distributor of highly-acclaimed, handmade wines from some of the world's greatest vineyards. Every brand in the company's portfolio is distinct and autonomous with its own identity, style, techniques and personnel. Foley Family Wines owns the following properties: Foley Estates (Santa Rita Hills, CA), Lincourt Vineyards (Solvang, CA), Merus (Napa Valley, CA), Foley Johnson (Napa Valley, CA), Chalk Hill Estate (Sonoma County, CA), Sebastiani (Sonoma County, CA), Lancaster Estate (Sonoma County, CA), Roth (Sonoma County, CA), Kuleto (Napa Valley, CA), Foley Johnson (Napa, CA), Three Rivers Winery (Walla Walla, WA), The Four Graces (Dundee, OR), Firestone Vineyard (Santa Ynez Valley, CA), Eos (Paso Robles, CA), Vavasour (Marlborough, New Zealand), Clifford Bay (Marlborough, New Zealand), and Te Kairanga (Martinborough, NZ). Bill Foley is Chairman of the Board of Directors for Fidelity National Inc and Executive Chairman of Fidelity National Information Services. Both are Fortune 500 companies.