The People

The Winemaking Team

Winemaker Sally Johnson leads this tight knit team, working closely with long-time associate winemaker Romel Rivera and Steve Pride. Pure of focus, the team is in constant conversation - many times with the inclusion of viticulturist, Paul Skinner - sharing knowledge and new ideas, all with the goal of coaxing the finest wines possible out of Pride's mountaintop fruit.

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Bios

Select a person from the group photo to learn more.

Ruben AyalaRomel RiveraSally JohnsonPhilip AquinoLawrence Cortez

  • Ruben Ayala

    At Pride: Cellar Operations (2000)

    Hidden talents:  Engineering  & his ability to fix ANYTHING

    Born In:  Guanajuato, Mexico

    Four legged friends:  Chocolate Lab, Jules and Red Nosed Pit Bull,  Maya

    Weekends and after work you’ll find him: Cheering at his daughters' soccer tournaments

    Nicknames: MacGyver and Ruby Doobie Doo

  • Romel Rivera

    At Pride: Associate Winemaker (1998)

    Nickname: Romelito

    Could live on: Coffee & donuts

    Ugly but loveable: Pearl, his Pug

    If he ever took any time off you’d find him: Fishing

    Most Afraid Of: Airplanes

    Full Bio

  • Sally Johnson

    At Pride: Winemaker (2007)

    Appellation of Origin (hometown): Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Inspiration: Her parents

    Favorite quite corner: Bothe State Park from Carolyn's Vineyard

    Addicted to: Banon & Brillat-Savarin Cheeses

    Newest arrival: Baby Violet Amelia, born July 2010

    Follow me on Twitter: @pridemtnsally

    Full Bio

  • Philip Aquino

    At Pride: Cellar Operations (2007)

    Best friends: Everybody! He says, “I’m a friendly man!”

    Little known fact: He's a very serious bowler, once bowling 299, twice bowling 286 and eleven times bowling 279!

    Other places he’s called home: The Philippines, Costa Rica, Georgia, Monterey, Florida, New York, Wisconsin & New Jersey

    No meal is complete without: Rice

    Furry friend: Lovely, the dog (aka Rambo)

  • Lawrence Cortez

    At Pride: Cellar Operations (2004)

    Halfway through harvest he dreams of: Fishing

    Last food he would give up: Rice

    Single bottle of wine to have on a desert island: Pride or Corte Riva

    Most proud of: His family and Corte Riva

    Secret talent: He’s a great carpenter & is eager to build another house