Winemaking

		Winemaker Mark Chargin Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Fruit Science from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo. He joined the Duck Pond team in 2005 as assistant winemaker under then-winemaker Greg Fries and was promoted to winemaker in 2007. Prior to joining our team, Mark was assistant winemaker for Golden State Vintners in Monterey County and assistant winemaker at Cottonwood Canyon Vineyard and Winery in Santa Barbara County. He also worked in the cellar at Kirigin Cellars in Santa Clara County. Download Mark's bio (PDF)

		Assistant Winemaker Scott Siver Based out of the family's Washington winery, Scott joined our team in 2009 as a lab technician. He was promoted to enologist and then to assistant winemaker in 2010. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology from University of California at Davis. Prior to joining the Desert wind team, he worked in various cellar and winemaking roles at Artesa, C.G. di Arie, Nevada City Winery, Il Gioiello, Cassegrain Wines, and Gallo.

		Vineyard Managers Doug & Greg Fries As co-owners and part of the founding Duck Pond team, Doug Fries and his son Greg have been involved in nearly every aspect of the business. Greg received his degree in Fermentation Science from University of California at Davis in 1994; until handing the reins over to Mark, Greg had served as head winemaker since 1995. Greg and Doug are very active in the family's various vineyard sites, located in Eastern Washington and Oregon's Willamette Valley and Umpqua Valley regions.

		Vineyard Foreman Manuel Hernandez Manuel began his relationship with the Fries family back in the 1970s, when he assisted Doug with row-crop farming in California's Central Valley. When the Fries family moved to Oregon the early '80s, Manuel made the move, too, and helped with the family's various farming endeavors, including a hazelnut orchard and vineyards. He oversees crews of varying sizes throughout the year, assisting with everything from harvest to grafting new vines.