Villa San-Juliette Names Matt Ortman As Winemaker

SAN MIGUEL, Calif., Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Paso Robles-based Villa San-Juliette Winery announced the hiring of Winemaker, Matt Ortman. In true fashion, proprietors and television producers Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe auditioned winemakers to lead Villa San-Juliette's winemaking team. Matt was handpicked by Warwick & Lythgoe when a blind tasting of a dozen Cabernet Sauvignons resulted in Ortman's two samples earning first and second place with both owners. "Matt has an excellent pedigree, he has a strong vision for where he can take our wines and facility, and we simply love his wines. He is the perfect fit," said Lythgoe.

Ortman brings a strong winemaking background and broad range of experience with multiple wine varietals in appellations spanning throughout the Central Coast to Northern California, Oregon and Italy. The second generation winemaker's background includes ten years with Ortman Family Vineyards as Winemaker and General Manager.

"Matt brings a sophistication and depth to our winemaking that will take us to the next level. Our goal is to make this property a must-stop Paso Robles destination for the wines as well as the experience at the Villa," says President and COO, Hillary Trout.

"I am extremely excited to work with all 11 varieties in the estate vineyard and honored to become the newest member of the talented team in place at Villa San-Juliette. I look forward to outfitting the winery to be both innovative and capable of producing the finest wines possible as we expand on the Reserve tier of wines and build up the winemaking team to meet our growth demands. This is really a culmination of my experiences in a setting reminiscent of my first cellar job working in the cellars below a 12^th century castle," says a smiling Matt Ortman.

About Villa San-Juliette

Villa San-Juliette is the vision of iconic television producers of Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe who believe in bringing the best talent together to create remarkable experiences. At Villa San-Juliette, the experience is world-class wines in an extraordinary setting. The vineyard's combination of soils, aspect, and elevation create exceptional Bordeaux and Rhone wines of richness, depth and character. The Villa, nestled on the 168 acre estate with 132 acres of bearing vineyards planted to 11 varietals, provides a gracious setting for enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience in Paso Robles wine country. For more information about Villa San-Juliette, please call 805.467.0014, or visit www.villasanjuliette.com. Villa San-Juliette is located at: 6385 Cross Canyons Road, San Miguel, CA 93451. 

SOURCE Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery