Derek Irwin was hired by Dono dal Cielo in 2006 to ensure high-caliber wines for the future.  He comes with years of experience in winemaking and vineyard management gained while working with wineries such as Viansa Winery and Bouchaine Vineyards.

We were not looking for a winemaker, but after we met Derek we were convinced we needed him. Always our thoughts are for the grapes, for the vineyard, and we knew Derek could help us fine-tune the growing side of our wine.

"Dono dal Cielo has what every winemaker honestly wants", according to Derek, "and that is great terroir for Zinfandel and owners who understand that it is both a creative and scientific process that takes time and money to evolve. Dono dal Cielo was created through divine inspiration in my mind - listen to their story, what hurdles they have gone over, what efforts they have and will continue to take and the passion behind them, it could be nothing but. A lot of people believe that making Zinfandel is easy in the foothills......not so. There is a lot of Zinfandel made up here but not many great Zinfandels and that is exactly William and Karen's intention - great Zinfandel with a signature all their own."

We are a great team - very hands on and very one-minded. What is good for the vineyard is good for all. Our winemaking begins in the vineyard and we are in love with the growing and making of the wine.

"There is a lot of Zinfandel made up here, but not many great Zinfandels and that is exactly William and Karen's intention - great Zinfandel with a signature all their own."

             -Derek Irwin