Erica Stancliff started her wine education very early. She was in grade school when Paul Hobbs joined the Trombetta family one evening and was asked how he came up with the flavor descriptors for wine. After pouring everyone, including Erica, a glass of Merlot from Coomsbville, he asked each one what they smelled. Erica instantly started naming the spices and fruits that she detected and, after being allowed a sip or two of the wine, described the flavors embodied in it. Thus, her long journey into winemaking began.
She earned a B.S. in Viticulture and Enology from California State University, Fresno, in 2010 and then went on to do back to back internships in 2011 at Vina Cobos S.A. in Mendoza, Argentina, and Rudd Wine Estates in Oakville, Napa Valley. This was followed by over two years as the Technical Enologist at Enartis Vinquiry in Windsor, and a final internship at Paul Hobbs Cross Barn Winery.
Erica was named Winemaker at Trombetta Family Wines in Forestville in 2014, started consulting for other small winery brands in 2017, and then added the Enologist title with the premium Pinot Noir label CIRQ in the Russian River Valley, CA, from Michael Browne of Kosta Browne renown.
She brings passion, humor, curiosity, and steadfastness to produce the highest quality wines without compromise. She augments her expertise as a wine professional by traveling internationally to share enological best practices and to be updated on the latest technologies in the field.
