Brenae Royal, Louis Martini

Brenae Royal is the Vineyard Manager of the celebrated Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, one of the most acclaimed winegrowing sites in California. She grew up surrounded by agriculture in California’s Great Central Valley, an industry she would come to love and make her lifelong passion and career.

Brenae studied Crops and Horticulture Science at California State University, Chico and during her senior year, after developing a palate for bold red wines, decided to pursue a career in viticulture. Upon graduation she was recruited as an intern by E. & J. Gallo Winery and was appointed Monte Rosso Vineyard Manager in 2015.

“Viticulture is still very male-dominated, so to drive more inclusion and diversity can feel like an uphill battle,” says Brenae. It’s a battle that Brenae has done anything but back down from. Monte Rosso Vineyard is the source of some of the most coveted Cabernet Sauvignon and has produced grapes of unmistakable character for more than a century. Part of the vineyard’s mystique is that its signature qualities seem unaffected by producer and variety. “Recognized by the Historical Vineyard Society, Monte Rosso wines are immediately identified, even when tasted blind,” she adds.

“My goal is always to preserve what is special about Monte Rosso,” she says. “Hopefully it will be producing for another 132 years.” Brenae is responsible for a myriad of vineyard management duties, from running the on-site crew to overseeing viticultural innovations – all with her trusty black lab, Violet Mae, by her side.