Media Luna Vineyards Team
Nicole DeMeo and Jennifer Grayzar - Owners, Wine Lovers turned Winemakers ~ Media Luna Vineyards
Nicole DeMeo is a relentless and serial entrepreneur, venture capital partner and technology business growth advisor during her day job. Growing up in the wine country, Nicole always dreamed of owning her own vineyard. By partnering with Jennifer Grayzar and purchasing Media Luna Vineyards from the Vines of Mendoza, Nicole was in a way able to steal back her childhood.
Jennifer is an Emergency Medicine physician who has a passion to help others. She finds great insight and peace during her long walks in the vineyard. Jennifer is an oenophile, and is always ready to discover new wines, even after a very long shift in the ER.
When it came time to name the vineyard it was clear. They had traveled extensively together for years doing cartwheels all over the world as a way to celebrate life. Since Media Luna means cartwheel in Spanish, the decision was obvious.
Cartwheels represent exuberance and finding joy in the little moments – something that reflects how they live their lives fully and create wines to help you enjoy yours!
Pablo Martorell - Winemaker, The Vines of Mendoza
Pablo Martorell, is an accomplished winemaker with high marks from James Suckling, Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast.
Born and raised in Tunuyán, he studied winemaking from an early age, starting in high school. He worked throughout his studies at some of the most important wineries in Mendoza, including Bodega Nieto Senetiner, Catena Zapata, Trivento and Bodega Flecha de los Andes, under Michel Rolland’s tutelage. He also has experience working through several harvest seasons abroad in both France and the United States. In 2006, he worked for Chateau de Lauret in Pomerol (Bordeaux), and, in 2007, for Chateau Peyre Lebade and Chateau Clarke in Medoc (Bordeaux), all of which belong to the Rothschild Group.
Santiago Achával - Consulting Winemaker, The Vines of Mendoza
As owner of Achával-Ferrer wines, Santiago has been recognized as one of the world leaders in winemaking by Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. His wines consistently score in the high 90's. As The Vines of Mendoza’s Consulting Winemaker, Santiago’s office is a tasting room filled with wine samples and bottles awaiting his critical palate. A discussion with him imparts decades of wine expertise and deep wisdom.
Mariana Onofri - Wine Director, The Vines of Mendoza
Mariana Onofri has been the Wine Director for The Vines of Mendoza since 2009, overseeing all vineyard owner winemaking plans and customized wine design. This includes overseeing blending sessions and barrel tastings for the company’s Private Vineyard owners (including Media Luna). She also manages wine selection for the company’s Tasting Room, Vinoteca, and online sales. Prior to The Vines, she worked at Chateau La Violette in Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, and has also been Sommelier in La Bourgogne in Punta Del Este, Uruguay.
"Media Luna Vineyards always brings me good memories. The vines in lot#12 have always managed to successfully tackle every critical stage in their development. I will never forget the image of - Nicole and Jennifer (and the polka dot boots!), back in 2008, planting those vines, and how they were very excited and with an amazing energy."
Media Luna and The Vines of Mendoza Project
In December 2004, Michael Evans (CEO) and creator of the featured book, Nada es Imposible (Nothing is Impossible) went to Mendoza for a long weekend of wine tasting and he never left. The magic and majesty of Mendoza, along with the chance meeting of co-founder Pablo Gimenez Riili, resulted in the creation of The Vines of Mendoza in the Spring of 2005.
Media Luna was one of the earliest vineyards purchased in 2007 and planted in 2008 as part of this incredible project that includes private vineyard estates, wineries, a world-class, five star rated resort and Francis Mallman’s Siete Fuegos restaurant. We invite you to join us at The Vines of Mendoza and Media Luna Vineyards in Mendoza Argentina.