Meet the Staff at the Wetzel Estate Winery
At Wetzel Estate you will find winemakers and tasting room managers who are knowledgeable and committed to their craft.
Andreas Wetzel
Owner and Winemaker
Since the inception of the winery, Andreas has been producing award-winning wines. He emphasizes pairing wine with food in a way that enhances the experience of both. His philosophy has always been to provide premium, limited-production wines at a great value.
Ben Gilbert
Assistant Winemaker
Ben is a native Oregonian who has enjoyed wine since traveling to Germany at the age of 17. He has been making wine in the Willamette Valley at various wineries since graduating from OSU with degrees in Enology and Agriculture. Ben is experienced in all aspects of grape growing and winemaking.
Alma Carrillo Garcia
Tasting room lead
Alma has been in the Wetzel Estate Tasting Room for a year, sharing her knowledge of the wine while enjoying the camaraderie of customers and staff. She always has a bright, welcoming smile and is bilingual-Se Habla Espanol. She is a doting and loving mother of two young sons, as well as a great cook. She looks forward to sharing her excitement about the Wetzel Estate line of wines and their food pairings with whomever visits!
Kim Rickard
Office Manager
Kim can be seen in the tasting room but spends most of her time behind the scenes managing the day-to-day administrative responsibilities that keep the winery running efficiently.
Juan Hernandez
Vineyard Foreman
Juan oversees all vineyard operations, from pruning the vines to harvesting the ripe, delicious fruit.
Richard Dal Porto
Cellar Master
A fourth-generation descendant of a Napa grape-growing family, Richard ultimately returned to his roots, obtaining a viticulture degree from Oregon State University in 2015. Since that time he has honed his winemaking skills while employed at various wineries. He is excited to continue the journey at Wetzel Estate Winery, where his contributions and comfort extend from the vineyard to the cellar.