October 18th – Gaviota, CA – Folded Hills Winery, located at the gateway to Santa Barbara Wine Country in Gaviota, has appointed Sam Schmitt General Manager. Founded in 2014 by the Andrew Busch family, the Folded Hills estate is located a few miles as the crow flies from the Pacific, in Gaviota, just southeast of Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills appellation.
Schmitt brings 25 years’ worth of experience to the Folded Hills team. Previously, Schmitt was Director of Operations and DTC Programs at Oregon’s Lingua Franca. Schmitt also distinguished himself at Oregon’s Adelsheim Vineyard, where he was promoted from Director of Consumer Direct Sales to the Vice President of Trade & Consumer Education in two years. A former restaurant owner of Rare Earth Pizza and Wine Bar in Scottsdale, Arizona, Schmitt was also the restaurant and wine manager at Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Arizona. Prior to entering the world of food and wine, Schmitt was a Senior Management Consultant at Coopers & Lybrand Consulting.
“I’m thrilled to join the leadership team at Folded Hills Winery and play a key role in its continued success and growth. It’s exciting to be part of such a dynamic winery with an amazing family legacy. As a personal fan of cool climate Syrahs and Rhône blends, this is a unique opportunity to champion outstanding Rhône varietal wines grown in the Santa Ynez Valley,” says Schmitt.
Comprised of Grenache, Syrah, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Clairette Blanche, the Rhone-inspired 15 acre-Folded Hills estate vineyard is entirely organically farmed by Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, under the guidance of Ruben Solorzano, “the Grape Whisperer.” Winemaker Michael Brughelli oversees a collection of wines that include the estate’s hallmark Grenache, their Lilly Sparkling Rose, and their August Red, a Rhone varietal blend, named for Andy Busch’s father, August “Gussie” Busch Jr., who started the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales in 1933. The winery has two tasting rooms; one is in the nearby coastal village of Montecito, and the other is located across from the Folded Hills Farm stand, off the California State Hwy. 101 corridor.
“We searched far and wide for the best General Manager for Folded Hills. After many months of searching, it became very apparent that Sam had the right ingredients to lead Folded Hills into the future. We are delighted to welcome Sam to the Folded Hills family,” says owner Andrew Busch.
To learn more about Folded Hills, please visit www.foldedhills.com.
