TEMECULA, Calif. (May 14, 2024) – Nestled amongst 45 acres of rolling hills within Southern California’s Temecula Valley Wine Country, Europa Village Wineries & Resort today announced the appointment of Winemaker Blake Miller and Cellar Master Sara Meichtry. These two new additions round out a talented, experienced, and dedicated winemaking team with over two decades of hands-on experience in the industry. Together, they strive to optimize vineyard production to create the highest quality of wine for guests of Europa Village who travel near and far to taste exceptional wine.
“Temecula Valley’s wine region continues to soar in quality, captivating an increasing number of guests with our distinctive contributions to the world of fine wines,” said Europa Village General Manager John Goldsmith. “With the appointment of both Blake and Sara, we are excited to usher in this new generation of wine knowledge to elevate not only Europa Village as a destination for award-winning wines but the entire Temecula Valley wine region.”
With 12 years of expertise in the wine industry, Blake Miller has honed the skills necessary to produce ultra-premium wines, meticulously overseeing every step from vine to glass. His passion for wine took him on an educational journey to Chile in 2023 where he experienced their harvest first-hand. He learned about native inoculation, low-intervention winemaking, and varietal characteristics, while helping to harvest over 300 tons of grapes. While in South America, he also got to work in a 100-year-old vineyard and handpicked dry-farmed País- a signature wine grape of Chile. In addition to these experiences, he earned a winemaking certificate from UC Davis. Blake’s proficiency at just 30 years old spans further facets of the wine industry, from maneuvering tractors in the fields to expertly blending top-quality wines and delivering engaging experiences to valued customers. He possesses strong management skills and leads a dedicated and educated team at Europa Village, united by a shared goal of crafting premier wines reflective of the winery’s renowned prestige and blending Old-World winemaking practices with new innovations. Blake has produced many award-winning wines, including a Cabernet Sauvignon which he won a double gold medal for from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Cellar Master Sara Meichtry hails from Temecula Valley and brings her wealth of local knowledge to the team at Europa Village. While earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from California State University Channel Islands, Meichtry dove into vineyard research, collaborating with industry leaders to pioneer projects that reshaped the field of viticulture. She assisted with the initial outline in the regenerative agriculture program in local vineyards by performing sap and soil analysis, insect monitoring, and water turgor within the vines, growing her passion for the industry. Transitioning seamlessly into the role of enologist, Sara honed her skills in winemaking, mastering the intricacies of fermentation and cellar management while navigating the challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. As the Cellar Master at Europa Village, Meichtry brings her creativity and fresh perspective to the organization.
About Europa Village Wineries & Resort
Nestled on more than 45 acres of rolling hills and vintage terroir in the heart of Temecula Valley Wine Country, Europa Village brings the old-world charm of Europe to Southern California. Europa Village is a multi-winery, innovative destination wine resort experience offering the charm and character of Europe, transporting guests to the traditional villages of Spain, France, and Italy across three winery destinations – Bolero, a Spanish adventure; C’est la Vie, a French affair; and Vienza, inspired by the Italian countryside. A charming array of restaurants, boutiques, tasting rooms, and walking paths connects these European-style venues. Stay in upscale and intimate accommodations at The Inn at Europa Village nestled on a hilltop hideaway or in one of our Bolero Casitas.
