Nicolas Cornejo, Clendenen Vineyard Management

My name is Nicolas Cornejo, and I am the owner of Clendenen Vineyard Management, where I work alongside my son, Sirilo, and our great team of employees. For many years, we have been farming Bella’s vineyards, including Lily Hill and Big River Ranch—two special, old-vine vineyards that I love very much. I have been growing grapes for 33 years, and was the very first employee at Clendenen Vineyard Management when it was founded in 1992. I worked side by side with John Clendenen for over 20 years and when he retired in 2016, he sold me the company, and I have been proud to continue his work ever since

Guiding the farming at Bella is something that makes me very happy. I have known Scott and Lynn, and winemaker Joe Healy, for a long time. They are good people, who care deeply about the land, and the wines they make. We work well together, talking everything through, until we are all on the same page about how to grow the best possible grapes. Old vines need more love and attention than most. When vines have been alive for over 100 years, they don’t hang very much fruit, but the grapes they do produce are special. As a vineyard manager, and as a father, I know these vines will still be healthy and strong when Sirilo takes over for me years from now.

For many years, we have been farming Bella’s vineyards, including Lily Hill and Big River Ranch—two special, old-vine vineyards that I love very much.

— NICOLAS CORNEJO, OWNER - CLENDENON VINEYARD MANAGEMENT