Embark on a captivating journey through the history of BV, seen through the eyes of the people who’ve left their imprints on our winery, from winemakers to members of the BV family.
Beaulieu Vineyard
Historical Interview Series
Dan Berger, Wine Writer
Journalist Dan Berger began writing a wine column in 1979 and wrote about food and wine for The Los Angeles Times for nearly a decade. His columns were also carried by over 100 other papers. Today he hosts a live radio show and wine podcast and is a well-known wine judge.
Dorothy Tchelistcheff, BV Family
Born in the San Joaquin Valley, Dorothy Tchelistcheff later moved to St. Helena. She joined the staff of Beaulieu Vineyard as a secretary in 1960 and she and André were married in 1968. Since his passing in 1994, Dorothy continues to host and mentor the students and winemakers who surrounded the generous couple for half a century.
Rob Davis, Winemaker
After receiving a degree in fermentation science from UC Davis in 1976, Rob Davis worked as the winemaker at Jordan Vineyard and Winery until 2019. Mentored by wine legend André Tchelistcheff, Rob created the first vintage of Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Joel Aiken, Winemaker
Joel Aiken graduated from UC Davis in 1980 with a degree in biology but was drawn to the world of wine. After working a season at Inglenook, he returned to Davis and got his master’s in enology, and then joined Beaulieu Vineyard in 1983. There he served as winemaker from 1985 until 2009. Today, Joel runs Aiken Wine Consulting.
Jeffrey Stambor, Winemaker
After switching from veterinary science to plant science at UC Davis, Jeffrey Stambor discovered winemaking, working two harvests in France after graduation. In 1989 he joined Beaulieu Vineyard as enologist and in 1995, he was named BV’s winemaker, earning the title of Director of Winemaking in 2009. Today, Jeffrey Stambor is a highly sought-after wine consultant.
Tim Allen, Project Manager
Tim Allen retired from Beaulieu Vineyard in 2019, after 44 years at the winery. During his long career, he worked as a cellarman, a manager of capital building projects, oversaw renovations, and helped preserve BV’s historical documents.
Richard Walton, Winery Manager
After working on the legal side of the wine business as general counsel for Heublein Wines, lifelong wine enthusiast Richard Walton became the president and general manager of Beaulieu Vineyard in 1994. The famed Tapestry label debuted under his leadership. Richard retired from BV in 1996 and spent many years as a consultant.
Walter Sullivan, BV Family
Walter Sullivan is the great-grandson of Georges and Fernande de Latour, the founders of Beaulieu Vineyard. Deeply connected to his family’s winemaking legacy, Walter fondly remembers climbing around inside the winery as a child and learning about life and wine from André Tchelistcheff, his “Uncle André.”
Dagmar Sullivan, BV Family
As a child, the great-granddaughter of Beaulieu Vineyard founders Georges and Fernande de Latour, Dagmar often heard stories about the winery from her grandmother, Hélène de Pins. She and her brother Walter grew up in the winery itself, wandering the catwalks and chatting with staff, including André Tchelistcheff, known as “Uncle André.”
Tom Rinaldi, Winemaker
For over 40 years, UC Davis alumnus Tom Rinaldi has put his stamp on wineries throughout California, most famously as the founding winemaker of Duckhorn Vineyards, where he launched their inaugural harvest in 1978. Today, he is working his 48th vintage with his new label, Patent Wines.
