The People

The Winemaking Team

Winemaker Sally Johnson leads this tight knit team, working closely with long-time associate winemaker, Romel Rivera and enjoying the support of consulting winemaker, Bob Foley. Pure of focus, the team is in constant conversation - many times with the inclusion of Steve Pride and 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.

Bob FoleyRomel RiveraSally JohnsonPhilip AquinoRuben AyalaLawrence Cortez

  • Bob Foley

    At Pride: Consulting Winemaker (1991)

    Bob Foley grew up in rural Contra Costa County in the East Bay area where walnuts, prunes and cattle dominated the land. His parents planted a vineyard when Bob was eleven, exposing him to the cultivation and vinification of Cabernet Sauvignon and an obscure blending grape called Merlot. A close family friend working in the wine industry encouraged Bob to investigate the Enology and Viticulture programs at the University of California Davis campus.

    Full Bio

  • Romel Rivera

    At Pride: Associate Winemaker (1998)

    Nickname: Romelito

    Could live on: Coffee & donuts

    Ugly but loveable: Pugly & Pearl, his Pugs

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

    Most Afraid Of: Airplanes

    Full Bio

  • Sally Johnson

    At Pride: Winemaker (2007)

    Hobbies: Cycling, Vinyasa yoga, singing in the shower

    Greatest recent adventure: Trekking in Peru

    Favorite place for contemplation: The top of Mt. Tamalpais

    Inspiration: Her parents

    Best friends: Her fiancé, Max and her dog, Roxie

    Favorite scent: Lemon blossoms and wet barrel caves

    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 286, seven 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

  • Ruben Ayala

    At Pride: Cellar Operations (2000)

    Hidden talents:  Engineering  & his ability to fix ANYTHING

    Born In:  Guanajuato, Mexico

    Four legged friend:  Duke the Dog

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

  • 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