Our Winemaker Benoit Pineau was born and raised near Tours, France in the wine appellation of Jasnières, and it was while working there alongside his grandfather he discovered his passion for viticulture and fermentation science. He has broad education and experience in the field having degrees in oenology from Blanquefort in Bordeaux and viticulture and oenology from the University of Toulouse. 

Being passionate about the production side of the wine business, he decided to focus his knowledge on Bordeaux varietals by initially working in France, Australia and California. He first arrived in Virginia as an intern at Kluge Estate Winery (Charlottesville, VA) in 2005, and then moved to Napa Valley's Cain Vineyards (Saint Helena, CA) in 2006. 

The Virginia countryside and its potential for growing grapes and producing world-class wine called him back to the East Coast in 2008. Since then, he has managed the vineyards and winery operations for over a decade at Pollak Vineyards.