Our Winemaker

About Darek:

Darek Trowbridge has had a passion for wine and winemaking throughout his whole life. Darek began studying wine at a young age with his grandfather, Lino Martinelli who, like his father, Giuseppe, was growing grapes locally. Lino taught Darek the “old world” style of winemaking with the consideration that everything a vintner does in the vineyard and in the winery affects the flavors of the wines. Darek now uses what his grandfather taught him as a basis to make the best wine possible.

Education:

Darek, who has essentially been studying wine his whole life, received a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Viticulture (Grape Growing). During this phase of education, Darek worked at Martinelli Vineyards and Winery for his uncle, Lee Martinelli, a former teacher, who taught Darek the ins and outs of production agriculture, machinery fabrication, and multiple ranch farming. Darek later went on to complete a Masters Degree from Fresno State in Enology (Winemaking). During his time at Fresno State Darek worked for the Viticulture and Enology Research Center, a privately funded research facility focused on improving the quality of grapes and wine.

About Old World Winery:

Darek founded Old World Winery in 1998 while working as Vineyard Manager at Everett Ridge Winery. As winemaker and proprietor, Darek is able to combine all of his skills, old world and new world, to make the wines he had always dreamed of mastering. Located in the Russian River Valley on the site where the winery William-Selyem was founded, Old World Winery is adamant about quality and making the best quality wine possible. We are located on River Road, just off of Highway 101 in Sonoma County, making our small winery a highly desirable place to visit. Just give us a call, and we’ll give you a “Taste of the Place!”