Wine Maker's Biography
Alec Perrucci,
Son of Andy Perrucci
Grandson of Don Perrucci
Alec’s journey into the wine industry began with applying for college. He searched for majors that meshed with his love of nature and the outdoors. Agriculture seemed to be a natural fit, after all, his family had been farming land in the Santa Clara Valley since the early 1900’s, and winemaking since 2003.
In high school, as he began spending more time assisting in the winery, Alec discovered that a degree in Wine and Viticulture was what he was looking for. Alec Considered other schools however, Cal Poly SLO became the obvious choice.
Alec entered the Wine and Viticulture program at Cal Poly in the fall of 2010 and, over the next 5 years, was immersed in learning the three aspects of the wine industry: Viticulture, Enology, and Wine Business. As a part of the “learn by doing” philosophy of Cal Poly, the students are required to work in their respective industries prior to graduation.
Alec’s first internship in the wine industry was harvest 2013 with J Lohr, where he worked the main red's crush pit. The days were long and grueling, but Alec loved the learning and hands-on experience.
He chose to stay at Cal Poly for an extra year, and during the fifth year he was honored when selected to be one of two Cal Poly Student Winemakers for the 2014 vintage. The program consisted of a harvest internship with Orcutt Road Cellars while simultaneously making the Cal Poly wine there. Mentored by the Orcutt Road Cellar's winemakers and Cal Poly professors, Alec, and the other student winemaker, guided the Cal Poly wine through each step of the process, from harvest to sales, over the entire year.
In 2015 Alec earned a bachelor’s degree in Wine and Viticulture with a concentration in Enology and a minor degree in Plant Protection. After graduation Alec worked for three different wineries in the Central Coast area, gaining more experience in the cellar and the tasting room sales side.
While at Costa De Oro Winery as Assistant Winemaker, Alec took spring 2017 off to work a harvest in the Southern Hemisphere, at Vidal Wine Estates, the oldest operating winery in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. In New Zealand Alec had the opportunity to see winemaking outside of California. He learned about winemaking in a place with a sometimes-challenging climate. That harvest had to endure earlier than usual fall weather with multiple rainstorms and even a Typhoon. After harvest, Alec spent a month traveling around New Zealand before returning to Costa De Oro.
In late 2017 Alec was asked by his family to come and take on winemaking duties at Perrucci Family, and in June 2018 he began the transition. He is now working full time and is excited to bring his wine making education and experience as the latest generation in the Perrucci Family winery.
