Brooks is well-known in the wine industry for his leadership and extensive expertise in all things related to winemaking. His vast knowledge lends itself perfectly to overseeing production of our uniquely expansive portfolio of wines. Brooks joined us in 2005 after several years making wines at various other wineries, including Stag’s Leap and Robert Mondavi. Since joining us, he’s earned many accolades, including the San Francisco International Wine Competition’s “Winemaker of the Year.” He doesn’t stop at winemaking, however. He also oversees V. Sattui’s viticultural and grape growing operations, supervising 300 acres of estate vineyards as well as relationships with outside growers.

Born in San Francisco, Brooks grew up in northern California and graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a double major in Chemistry and Biology. As President and Board Member for the Napa Valley Wine Technical Group and Technical reviewer for enology research proposals submitted to the American Vineyard Foundation, he has not only grown his influence in the valley, but has helped drive modern evolutions in local winemaking. His research on biochemistry and sensory evaluation of wine has been published in The American Journal of Viticulture and Enology, Biochemistry, Practical Winery & Vineyard and Wines & Vines.

Brooks and his wife Beth live in Napa and are active in local community, charity, and public planning issues in Napa Valley. Their two adult children, Miles and Emily, are now enjoying the wine tasting and winery visits that used to bore them to tears. As a family, they enjoy traveling, skiing/snowboarding, sailing, hiking and cooking.