New appointments highlight their merit in the production of world-class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa, CA, September 26, 2018 – ZD Wines announced today that they have promoted two of their key winemakers to new positions within the company. Winemaker Chris Pisani has been promoted to Senior Winemaker and Associate Winemaker Brandon deLeuze has been promoted to Winemaker.
“Producing world-class wines and farming organically are what we are all about,” said Robert deLeuze, CEO and Director of Winemaking. “Chris and Brandon are exceptionally dedicated to producing the highest caliber wines. We appreciate their effort in advancing our commitment to quality and are honored to have them on our team.”
The current ZD team has amassed a fantastic base of winemaking and vineyard management knowledge with more than 100 years of combined experience. The winemaking team is comprised of Robert deLeuze (CEO/Director of Winemaking), Chris Pisani (Senior Winemaker), Brandon deLeuze (Winemaker), and Chad McComber (Cellar Master). They use blending as their ultimate winemaking tool to craft wines of quality, consistency and style. Rafael Llamas Sr. (Estate Vineyard Manager) and his son Rafael Llamas Jr. (Hospitality, Garden Curator and Vineyard Assistant) manage ZD’s certified organic Rutherford Estate and Carneros Estate vineyards in Napa. The winery also maintains long-term grower relationships with organic vineyards in Napa, Sonoma Carneros, Monterey, and Santa Barbara.
Chris Pisani has been a winemaker at ZD since 1996. With a degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis, Pisani is responsible for leading the production of ZD’s world-class wines. Brandon deLeuze – 3rd generation of the deLeuze family – was one of the first graduates from the Wine and Viticulture program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He continued his education working in vineyard management for Pacific Vineyard Company and in production at Eberle Winery. Brandon started working full-time for ZD in 2006 and received his Wine Intensive EMBA from Sonoma State University in 2015.
ZD Wines is known for three core varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery also produces two winery-exclusive wines named “Rosa Lee’s Whim,” and just released their first-ever sparkling wine that unveiled their new wine label that will be found on all their wines moving forward. This fall ZD will also release their 20th Bottling of Abacus, ZD’s pinnacle and innovative solera-style wine that is a blend of every vintage of their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to 1992. In addition, this harvest ZD Wines will celebrate their 50th anniversary as a family-owned business.
About ZD Wines
ZD Wines is owned and operated by the deLeuze family who is dedicated to producing world-class wines, farming organically and giving back to the community. The winery is located in the Rutherford region of the Napa Valley. Their hospitality center offers sweeping valley views of premium Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards and the Mayacamas mountain range to the west. The deLeuze family produces wines from their certified organic Napa Valley vineyards in Rutherford and Carneros, as well as organic vineyards in Napa, Santa Barbara, Monterey and Sonoma. With innovative winemaking practices, they produce wines of quality, consistency, and style. ZD Wines is currently celebrating 50 years of winemaking and can be found online at ZDWines.com and @ZDWines on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
