Victor Alvarez

Proprietor

Born in Colombia, South America, near his family’s cattle and dairy operations, Victor pursued a successful medical career, and maintained his love of agriculture by establishing Miraflores Winery in 2003.

Victor has now retired from his pathology practice in Arizona. While the precision demanded of his medical specialty has influenced the winery’s focus on quality from grape to glass, Victor credits his winemaking team for its award-winning vintages.

Fernando Abarca

Winemaker

Fernando’s career in the Sierra Foothills began in the early 2000s. His early focus was on viticulture—immersing himself in the nuances of soil, rootstocks, and grape varieties. It was here that he embraced one of the most vital lessons of winemaking, imparted by his mentor Marco Cappelli: “Good grapes make good wines.”

Over the years, Fernando has absorbed countless lessons in the wine industry, but one truth remains constant: there is always something new to learn. Fernando knows that each challenge and obstacle presents an opportunity for growth, and he believes the key to producing exceptional wines lies in overcoming these hurdles with dedication and perseverance.

Suze Pierce

General Manager

With nearly five years of hands-on winery experience and a professional background that spans administration, publishing, and hospitality, Suze brings a unique blend of creativity, organization, and passion to her role as General Manager.

Before stepping into leadership, she worked in nearly every corner of winery operations—from customer experience to behind-the-scenes logistics—gaining a deep understanding of what makes both a great bottle of wine and a great team.

She is currently pursuing her WSET certification to deepen her wine knowledge and better serve both guests and her team. Whether in the tasting room or the vineyard, Suze is proud to help grow a winery that values community, quality, and heart.