Terry Culton, Winemaker:  terryc@adelaida.com
For three-and-a-half years prior to Adelaida, Culton was assistant winemaker at the esteemed Calera Wine Company in San Benito County, working with Josh Jensen who is revered by his peers and wine aficionados for his complex and age-worthy Pinot Noirs. Jensen, whose winery and vineyards are near Hollister, is credited as "one of the leaders for the emergence of Pinot Noir," according to "The Connoisseurs' Handbook," written by Norman Roby and Charles E. Olken. Working at Calera is like studying at the University of Pinot Noir, if there was such a place, and not a bad place to be when you're an aspiring winemaker--until you're ready to graduate. "I was ready for total creative freedom," Culton admits. "Calera was a great place to learn, but the opportunity to work with HMR and Viking vineyards was irresistible."

Culton's first career wasn't in the wine industry, but he became interested in wine in 1989 when a serendipitous visit to a winery changed the course of his life. A psychology graduate from Humboldt State University, his first career was in social services. The job sent him to the tiny town of Philo, near Mendocino, where he called on an old friend, Bob Nye, who was working at Scharffenberger Winery in Anderson Valley. Given a tour of the winery, famed for its excellent sparkling wines while under the direction of its founder John Scharffenberger, Culton was fascinated as he watched the bustling production scene in the wine cellar. Although he entertained the idea of changing careers, it wasn't until he and his wife Kathleen moved to Paso Robles in 1991 so she could attend Cal Poly, that Culton sought his first job at a winery.

He worked his first harvest that Fall at Creston Manor, and from there moved to Wild Horse where he found owner Ken Volk a generous and willing mentor. Culton was given responsibility as cellar master at Wild Horse, which provided him the opportunity to work with Pinot Noir Volk purchased from the fabled HMR Vineyard. Convinced he'd made the right career move, Culton attended extension classes in enology at UC Davis.

He returned to Mendocino where he became cellar master at Edmeades Winery, apioneer in Anderson Valley known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His next move was to Oregon working at Willamette Valley Winery. One of the larger wineries in that state, they produce many varietals, but in Oregon, Pinot Noir reigns. Culton's experiences provided him with insight to the many faces of Pinot Noir, and earning him an enviable position at Calera.

After 13 years of working with many styles and varietals, Culton clearly is happy to be back in Paso Robles among his old friends: "Where else can you call a potential competitor for help and pick each others brains when a problem occurs?" he asks.  "When it comes time to do your own thing, you use a little of what you liked best at each winery to develop your style." Culton is making Adelaida a winery that connoisseurs are watching.

Sales and Marketing:
Paul Sowerby, National Sales: psowerby@adelaida.com
Jessica Valpey,  Direct Sales & Marketing: jvalpey@adelaida.com
Rose Jaques, Wine Club and Retail Orders: rjaques@adelaida.com

Accounting & Bookkeeping:
Cheryl Colbert, Accounting and Bookkeeping: ccolbert@adelaida.com

Production Team:
Lalo Escalante, Cellar Master: lescalante@adelaida.com

General Manager: Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, Owner/President and General Manager: Elizabeth earned a BA in English and writing from a small liberal arts college in the Midwest. She grew up working in radio and television broadcasting, wrote children's programs for television and became a children's author when her own kids came along. Although her kids are grown up now, she still finds time to write books for young people, several of which have been made into movies.

The Van Steenwyk Family 
Among the adult Van Steenwyk progeny are doctors, scientists, lawyers, pilots, and entrepreneurs who bring their enthusiasm and expertise to the many events and the board of directors of the winery.