Biodynamic Farm, Vineyards and Custom Crush Winery Adding New Culinary, Garden and Wine Hospitality Programs
March 20, 2018, St. Helena, Calif.—Wheeler Farms appointed David Schulze as director of sales and hospitality, leading guest experiences at the biodynamic farm, vineyards and state-of-the-art custom crush winery in St. Helena as of January 31st.
Schulze worked at Joseph Phelps Winery for 10 years as retail sales manager where he helped develop guest experiences, managed retail sales activity and provided wine education to staff and guests. Prior to Joseph Phelps, when he first arrived in Napa Valley from the Midwest, Schulze worked as a tasting room associate at Elizabeth Spencer Wines.
“We have a unique opportunity to offer a guest experience that is both modern and historic, providing a real farm experience in a gorgeous setting with the most advanced winery and outstanding winemaking partners,” said Bart Araujo, Wheeler Farms proprietor. “David’s experience will allow us to bring our new culinary and wine programs into focus.”
Bart and Daphne Araujo purchased the present Wheeler Farms parcel in 2014 and conceived a plan to construct a new winery and hospitality complex, and replant the existing vineyards. Out of respect for the property’s legacy of farm and home, they used an old California agricultural vernacular for the new buildings and included fruit and olive orchards, gardens, bees and chickens to present a complete expression of diversified Napa Valley agriculture. The property is a sanctuary of biodiversity, and home to a unique collaboration of winegrowers sharing a common goal of producing outstanding wines. Nigel Kinsman is consulting winemaker for Wheeler Farms and Sarah Donley is the production manager and winemaker.
Winemaking partners at Wheeler Farms include Accendo Cellars, an Araujo Family project, Arrow&Branch, Booth Bella Oaks, Evinco Wines, Kinsman Wines, Tor and Vice Versa. The winery and hospitality house at Wheeler Farms opened to the public in 2017.
Wheeler Farms garden and winery tours with portfolio tastings are available by appointment on Thursdays-Tuesdays from 10 am to 4 p.m. Wheeler Farms is located at 588 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, Calif. Visit www.wheelerfarmswine.com, email info@wheelerfarmswine.com or call 707-200-8500.
