When André Tchelistcheff joined Beaulieu Vineyard in 1938, he tasted the de Latour family’s private wine – what they called “Private Reserve” – from the 1936 vintage. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine was so distinctive that Tchelistcheff insisted it be bottled and sold as the winery’s flagship offering. In 1940, Beaulieu Vineyard released the first vintage of Private Reserve and named it in our founder’s honor. The resulting wine became the first release of Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that was destined to become Napa Valley’s first “cult” Cabernet. In 70+ years since, Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has become the benchmark of Napa Valley Cabernet as one of the most collected American wines.
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Nate Weis | Senior Winemaker & General Manager
A wine country native, Nate Weis grew up in Napa Valley with a winemaker father and a collection of T-shirts emblazoned with winery logos. While he contemplated becoming a pilot or firefighter, and eventually earned a BS in biopsychology/neuroscience, he also felt a tug toward wine. His first job after graduation was “cellar rat” at Groth Vineyards & Winery. “My dad suggested I make sure I actually liked winemaking before heading down that career path,” Nate says. “I loved that first harvest, so I packed my bags, dropped my application for grad school in the mail and went off to Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.”
Megan Twitchell | Assistant Winemaker
The day she turned 21 Megan landed a job in a tasting room, then an internship in a harvest cellar. She fell in love with winemaking, and hasn’t looked back since. Now, as assistant winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, she enjoys seeing wines that reflect the unique terroir. “Wine is dependent on the seasons and each year brings something similar, yet different. It’s an incredible reminder at how big Mother Nature is. I love that we’re able to capture that in a wine glass.”