Steve Driscoll
Winemaker
Steve Driscoll is the Winemaker at Clos LaChance. Steve joined the team prior to the 2009 Harvest Season. Steve Graduated with a degree in Wine and Viticulture from the University of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Shortly after graduation Steve spent 2 years roaming the cellar of Edna Valley Vineyards in SLO, in which he helped produce fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. After his time at Edna, Steve headed back to his home town of Livermore where he took the position of Cellar Master for Ruby Hill Winery. Ruby Hill is one of the oldest wineries in the Livermore Valley, producing great California Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs. In the winter of 2009 Steve set off for New Zealand to expand his knowledge of winemaking and new world wines. He worked for a large custom crush facility producing well known staples of the industry, like Kim Crawford and Little Penguin. After traveling the world, Steve came back to the Central Coast to find himself here at Clos LaChance. In his short time here Steve has grown within the company and moved up at a rapid pace. His knowledge of the cellar and his passion for producing fine wines is unrivaled, and possibly only matched, by his passion for Metallica and Def Leppard.
ULISES BARRON
BARREL MASTER
Ulises Barron is the Barrel Master for Clos LaChance. Ulises Joined the Clos LaChance team in the summer of 2005. New to the wine industry, he quickly took a liking to the hard work and rewarding aspect the production of fine wines gives. Ulises has become a staple around the winery and has grown his knowledge of the cellar as well as fine wines themselves. He first came to Clos LaChance not knowing the difference from a red wine and a white, yet now he is well versed in not only the subtle nuances of wines, but an in-depth knowledge of how each wine is produced. In his spare time Ulises loves spending time with his beautiful daughter Nelly and playing soccer with his friends.
MELINDA COSTIGAN
Vineyard Manager
Melinda studied Viticulture & Oenology at University of Adelaide South Australia, majoring in Viticulture, and went on to single-handedly develop the Primavera Vineyard in Yarra Valley.
The Primavera Vineyard, a famous vineyard in the Yarra for Pinot Noir & Chardonnay is now leased to Kendall Jackson and is one of Australia’s top Pinot Noir & Chardonnay sites.
Melinda then moved to Mexico where she worked as Chief Viticulturist at Mexico’s Monte Xanic after which, finding out she could work in USA, Melinda found herself managing viticulture on 1000’s of acres in numerous counties, with one of California’s largest wine companies.
Melinda moved back to Mexico and worked as a consultant with several producers in Valle de Guadalupe and then in Guanajuato.
Returning back to California, Melinda was eager to work in the Santa Clara & San Benito County area and found Clos LaChance.
Melinda has made wine in several top California wineries and now works closely with Steve Driscoll, Winemaker at Clos LaChance, to obtain the best fruit possible from the fantastic Clos LaChance vineyard. Melinda is honored to be the current custodian of the Clos LaChance vineyard which she manages together with Daniel Juarez the vineyard Jefe and the Clos LaChance Vineyard team.