consulting winemaker

Herman Froeb

Herman Froeb was born in New York City and spent the first year of his life in France. He moved to California as a child, and in 1979 received a degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. Then, while walking across the state of Utah in 1982, Herman read Progressive Winemaking and became fascinated with enology. Shortly thereafter, he got a job as a cellar assistant to Justin Meyer of Silver Oak.

In 1983, Herman began making small quantities of wine from the Home Ranch and Red Winery Road Vineyards, introducing his wine and the fruit from which it was made to his friend André Tchelistcheff. Tchelistcheff's enthusiasm for Hawkes fruit led to the inclusion of our grapes in numerous elite Cabernet programs in both Napa and Sonoma Counties. In 2002, when we decided to launch our own label and went looking for a consulting winemaker, Herman's 20 years of experience with our way of farming, coupled with our long-standing friendship and his unassailable reputation as a premium winemaker, made him the obvious choice. Herman lives in Napa with his wife, architect Candace Boyer, and has a 19-year-old daughter named Aislinn studying at the University of California at Berkeley.

vineyard keeper

Alberto Rodrigo Silva-Lopez

Alberto Rodrigo Silva-Lopez was born in the small town of Silacayaoapan, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca in 1942. At the age of 15, he left Silacayaoapan to work in the cane fields of Veracruz. He eventually moved to the city, where he sold popsicles and worked on the bottling line of a local liquor producer. From Veracruz, Alberto found his way to the city of Oaxaca, and from there to various parts north, working in the fruit farms of the Central Valley and returning to Silacayaoapan each year.

In the fall of 1980 he came for the harvest at the Home Ranch where he has continued to work ever since, and now lives. Alberto is not only our longest-standing and most expert vineyard worker, he is our great friend. His work ethic is an example to all the field laborers who come so far from home to make the wine industry in Alexander Valley possible. His uncompromising patience and 25 years of experience with our land and vines are essential to the quality of our wine.

Alberto's wife, Virginia Miranda Quiñonez, lives in Silacayaoapan, where he spends half of every year. His 33-year-old daughter, Sandra Silva-Cruz, lives in the city of Oaxaca.

Baby Winemaker

Beatrice Louise Hawkes

Beatrice Louise, or B-Lou affectionately, was born on March 30, 2008. A child of Alexander Valley and daughter of Laura and Jake Hawkes, Beatrice is already perfecting her pruning and picking skills and masterminding the first Hawkes Proprietary Bordeaux-style blend.  Her Alexander Valley Cuvee should be available for purchase by Fall of 2028.  Futures are available now at $5k/ 12 bottle-case, (12 case minimum).