Meet Seven Apart’s Cellar Master, Jorge Lopez

In the realm of winemaking, Cellar Master is about as apt a term as could be, as true mastery of the cellar is required. Come rain or shine, a Cellar Master oversees fermentation, manages barrel aging, conducts meticulous blending trials, and ensures impeccable quality control. Their expertise extends beyond the cellar walls, often reaching back to the vineyard to align grape selection with the winemaker’s goals. A Cellar Master’s refined palate, technical knowledge, and ability to nurture a wine’s potential are the bedrock of exceptional winemaking. It’s a relentless role that demands precision, intuition, and dedication with every step. In Jorge Lopez, Seven Apart’s Cellar Master, we find someone who truly embodies the ‘Master’ in his title. This is his story.

A Humble Beginning

Jorge’s story begins far from the rolling hills of Napa Valley. Born in Zamora, Mexico, and raised in Atacheo, Michoacan, he arrived in Napa as a 15-year-old in 1998. “My first job was at Wapo bar in Calistoga as a dishwasher,” Jorge recalls, painting a picture of his modest start.

It was only five years later, in 2003, that Jorge’s true calling began to take shape. He started working in the vineyard with renowned viticulturist David Abreu, an experience that would prove transformative. The name David Abreu carries significant weight in Napa Valley viticulture. By the late 1990s, Abreu had established himself as one of the premier viticulturists in the region, cultivating grapes for an impressive roster of elite wineries. “I worked with him for 10 years from 2003 to 2013 on vineyards such as Screaming Eagle, Sloan, Ovid, Marciano Estate, Harlan, Colgin, Pahlmeyer,” Jorge shares. “That’s when I started to learn about grapes and the process.”

From Vines to Wines

Jorge’s dedication and work ethic didn’t go unnoticed. His path crossed with former Seven Apart winemaker Andy Erickson and his team during harvest seasons. Jessica Tarpy, a member of Andy’s team, recognized Jorge’s potential. “Jessica saw the motivation I had and also saw I was hard-working,” Jorge explains. “When there was an opening for a job, she decided to call me and give me an opportunity to work with Andy and his team.”

This opportunity marked the beginning of a decade-long journey with Andy Erickson, from 2013 to 2023. During this time, Jorge honed his skills on various prestigious projects, including Favia, Marciano Estate, Dancing Hares, and Arietta. It was in 2019 that Jorge’s path intersected with Seven Apart, marking the start of a new chapter in his career.

A Season For Seven Apart

When asked about what led him to join Seven Apart as the Cellar Master, Jorge’s response reflects both his experience and the seamless transition: “I was Cellar Master for Favia. When Seven Apart and Favia started to work together, Yannick and Andy also decided to give me the title with Seven Apart, for which I am very grateful.”

These days, Jorge’s role as Seven Apart’s Cellar Master requires as much mastery as it sounds.
“A typical day for me at Seven Apart is to start looking around the winery and check if there is anything wrong or looks out of place,” he explains. “I also check to make sure everything is clean and tidy when I walk through the door.”

But no two days are alike in the world of winemaking. “There are different tasks that I need to do throughout the day,” Jorge explains. “Some days I’m working with the wine in the cellar, and other days I’m out in the vineyard, putting my years of experience to use.”

Jorge’s role extends beyond the cellar walls, drawing on his extensive background in viticulture. “When I’m in the vineyard, I’m doing cluster counts, checking on vine health, and inspecting the work completed by our vineyard management team,” he elaborates. “I provide feedback based on what I see. After all, that’s where my journey began, and I know how crucial this stage is for producing exceptional wine.”

This versatility is part of what Jorge loves about his role. “My favorite part of being a Cellar Master at Seven Apart is that I am surrounded by amazing people,” he shares. “I like to see the process of how the wine is made from the grape to the wine that people drink at home. I also am learning something new every day, whether it is on the grapes or the wine itself.”

A Spirit of Collaboration

At the heart of Seven Apart’s success is the strong working relationship between Jorge and winemaker Morgan Maureze. “I work with Morgan very closely. Most of the time me and him do the work together,” Jorge explains. Their connection goes beyond mere colleagues: “We have known each other before working at Seven Apart… I see him as a friend and not just a coworker.”

This collaborative spirit extends to how Jorge views his role within the larger Seven Apart team. “I see my role contributing to the overall quality and character of Seven Apart wine because I am the one charged to make all the work that is necessary for the wine with the directions and approval of Morgan.”

When asked about his winemaking philosophy, Jorge’s response is deeply rooted in the satisfaction of seeing a project through from start to finish. “I love seeing the entire process, from a young grapevine to the final harvest where it transforms into wine,” Jorge reflects. “It brings me joy to know that all the hard work we put into the wine culminates in a product people can taste and appreciate. It’s a beautiful collaboration between nature and our team. What’s truly amazing is how our creation is shared not just here in Napa Valley, but around the world.”

This philosophy is evident in what Jorge considers his most memorable achievement at Seven Apart: “My first harvest stands out the most,” he shares with pride. “Witnessing the entire process unfold, from the initial grape selection to the final product, was truly special. Seeing our team’s hard work transform into something so beautiful left me feeling both elated and honored to be part of that harvest. It was a moment that encapsulated everything I love about winemaking.”

10,000 Hours

Of course, as with all journeys, Jorge’s hasn’t been without its challenges. “A particular challenge that I face in my role is the language barrier, it has always been hard to communicate with fellow workers,” he admits. “I have very minimal education and all the knowledge I have comes from the experiences that I have encountered and seen happen.”

But true to his character, Jorge has faced these challenges head-on. “I overcame it by working really hard and putting my full attention to everything to make sure it is right,” he says, demonstrating the dedication that has brought him to where he is today.

As for the future of Seven Apart wines, Jorge’s vision is both ambitious and heartfelt. “My vision for the future of Seven Apart wines is that it becomes one of the best wines of the Napa Valley and one of the best in the world,” he shares. “I want our wines to create such an impression that when people taste them, they’re inspired to visit our winery and experience firsthand where this exceptional product is born.”

They say it takes 10,000 hours to become a master performer in a given field. For Jorge, despite having easily surpassed that hour threshold long ago, his journey as a Cellar Master continues. And that’s exactly what sets him – and his wines – apart.