Craig Becker

Coming Up

Founding winemaking at Priest Ranch in Napa Valley, California, USA, from 2007 placed Craig Becker in the work of establishing a winery’s early identity, not just making its first wines. That kind of role demands judgment as much as technique: the style has to be coherent, the voice has to be legible, and the estate has to start becoming itself. Since 2004, Becker has also served at Somerston Estate, where his remit spans general manager, winemaker and director of making.

Where They Are Now

The scope of the job extends beyond winemaking into the daily management of an estate. Craig Becker’s current work gathers viticulture, winemaking, and stewardship into one operating philosophy, with each part informing the next. His own line on the subject is plain: “For me, sustainability is not a marketing tool or gimmick; it is a way of life.” In practice, that frames sustainability as routine discipline, not messaging. As general manager, winemaker and director of making, Becker is working at the level of culture as well as the bottle, shaping how the estate functions and how its wines express Napa Valley. The emphasis is on care, precision, and time—qualities that build reputation in trade, not in headlines.

Signature

Craig's signature wines include XCVI and Priest Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2014. Read together, they show a winemaker working across both estate identity and varietal expression. The first carries the mark of a house style; the second places Cabernet Sauvignon within Napa Valley’s most closely watched frame.

In Their Words “We’re really showcasing what brought Napa its fame and international notoriety. It’s focused on the land, this amazing place.” “For me, sustainability is not a marketing tool or gimmick; it is a way of life.”