WINEMAKING: Marc Krafft, Lab Technician
I received my first laboratory training in the US Navy in 1994. Straight out of High School I went through Medical Laboratory training. I worked in this field for 13 years, during and after my ten year military tour. I finished my degree in biology at the University of Missouri Saint Louis and soon after moved to Napa to follow my passion in the winemaking field. I joined the production team at Rutherford Hill Winery where I quickly transferred my knowledge and experience from the Medical Laboratory and research Biology side, into winemaking. After Rutherford Hill I filled-in at their Healdsburg winery, Alderbrook, as the temporary assistant winemaker. That position being temporary I searched and found the position here at Hess Collection Winery where my experience and knowledge has been greatly enhanced by the room I have been given to expand my repertoire. Probably the most important knowledge I have gained in winemaking has been the guidance given by Associate winemaker Scott Shirley and Director of Winemaking Dave Guffy.
ART COLLECTION: Rob Ceballos, Museum Director
I am the primary care provider for the Hess Art Collection in Napa, a jack of many trades, part artist, part curator, who makes occasional forays into landscape design. My story is a simple one: I was left in line cooks swaddling clothes at the age of 22 on the steps of the winery kitchen where they took me in and reared me on wine and late night dinner parties. My time in the wilds of mount Veeder contributed greatly to the length of my hair and so they kept me hidden in the back of the kitchen until one day I emerged before management with a freshly shorn head and clean shaven face. I was immediately offered a job working with the public - much to my chagrin as I remembered my father’s admonition that I would never get a good job with long hair. From there I began to apply my background in the visual arts, assisting in hanging shows, cataloguing the collection, shadowing the conservator and arranging art shipments. Soon, I found myself with the title I now hold writing these lines about myself for the Hess Collection Blog.
IN THE VINEYARDS: Sander Sheer, Viticulturist
Raised in raisin country, Fresno California, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on California’s Central Coast. While studying Viticulture at Cal Poly I developed the technical skills needed for growing grapes along with the strong work ethic required to respond to the challenges that each vintage brings. I have worked here in Napa Valley for nine years on vineyards from Calistoga to Carneros. Now I spend nearly all of my time on Mount Veeder where The Hess Collection is hard at work redeveloping one third of its vineyards over 5 years. I am currently President of the Napa Valley Viticulture Technical Group and a member of the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group. When not busy growing grapes I am busy raising two little girls, Sydney and Scarlett, with my wife Stephanie.
