JOE HURLIMAN
Winemaker

Joe Hurliman began his career in the California wine industry 20 years ago, having studied Health Science and History prior to joining the wine industry in 1985. His formal training consisted of an eight-year apprenticeship at Alban Vineyards of Edna Valley, California as Assistant Winemaker. He also holds a degree in Organizational Management.

Joe’s focus during his career has been creating wines from grapes grown in the highly regarded California Central Coast. Notably, he assisted Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non Winery with Mr. Krankl’s Stolpman Vineyard Syrah and Alban Vineyards Roussanne – Chardonnay wines. Joe is now also incorporating grapes from the prestigious regions of Napa, Sonoma, Clarksburg, and Lodi into his winemaking regiment.

Joe joined Herzog Wine Cellars in 1998 and continues to wear many hats.  In addition to his role as winemaker for both the Herzog Wine Cellars and Baron Herzog wines, Joe helps manage vineyards across the state from which Herzog Wine Cellars sources its grapes.  He is also responsible for sourcing fruit from new vineyards and for the development of new wine programs. Most recently, Joe played a central role in the design and construction of the new Herzog Wine Cellars winery in Oxnard.  With the new facility’s focus on small barrel lot production, the Herzog Wine Cellars and Baron Herzog wines will only continue to garner awards and recognition for consistent quality.