Susan Reed, Winemaker

Susan Reed was promoted to the position of winemaker at the prestigious Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery in August of 2006, after having spent three years under founder and principle Gary Farrell.

After completing her Bachelor of Arts in General Biology at San Jose State University, Susan worked for a short time at Mt. Diablo State Park and then went on to work for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for three years conducting research in the Biomedical Division.

Arriving in Sonoma County in 1981, Susan took a position as a laboratory technician for Simi Winery. Under the direction of Winemaker Zelma Long, she was exposed to the multifaceted world of winemaking. Within months, she was promoted to senior laboratory technician. In 1984, Matanzas Creek Winery, a small, quality oriented winery in the process of expansion, was seeking someone to engineer and run their new laboratory. Susan applied and got the job as Laboratory Director.

In 1989, Matanzas Creek Winery was in the market for a new winemaker and she was hired alongside then cellar master Bill Parker to take over the job. As winemakers, they intensified their experimental efforts and she proved indispensable to the winery’s overall quality and continued success. In 2001, Matanzas Creek Winery was sold to Jess Jackson. After a period of transition, she decided to move on to other interests and worked for a time with her husband in his business and traveled extensively through Arizona.

The wine bug bit again when she inquired about helping Gary Farrell during the 2003 harvest and was hired and later became Associate Winemaker in July 2004 with responsibilities of overseeing the lab and the cellar.

“Having worked alongside me the last four vintages, she was the clear and obvious choice,” explains Gary, “as few possess her credentials, talent, or level of passion and commitment required to produce wines of this caliber.”

When not busy with the day to day rigors of winemaking and overseeing the operations of a winery, Susan enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with her husband and dog, traveling and gardening.