Winemaker
Tom Garrett
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Oakville, California, United States
i. Biography
Coming Up
The apprenticeship that shaped Tom Garrett was long and incremental: Middlebury College, then the cellar at Turley Wine Cellars in St. Helena (1999–2013). That span of work grounded him in the ordinary repetitions that define cellar craft—sorting, moving, monitoring, learning the pace of harvest by doing it again and again. The result was less a dramatic reset than an accumulation of judgment, built through time in contact with wine at every stage. Since 2013, Garrett has been founder & winemaker of Detert Family Vineyards, bringing that cellar-based discipline into a role that demands consistency and a clear standard.
Where They Are Now
Since 2013, Garrett has held the title founder and winemaker at Detert Family Vineyards in Oakville, where Cabernet Franc is the grape most closely associated with his name. In Napa Valley, where precision is expected and small choices carry weight, Garrett’s approach has stayed focused on site, fruit, and the practical intelligence developed in the cellar. At Detert Family Vineyards, that emphasis resolves into a style that is measured, deliberate, and tied to the vineyard’s own character.
Signature
Tom's signature wines include East Block Old Vines and Cabernet Franc Oakville 2002. Read together, they point to two working strengths: attention to older vines and a steady command of Cabernet Franc in Oakville. They also show the continuity in Garrett’s career, linking the cellar habits of his earlier years to the wines that now carry his name.
Honors
No major awards are cited for Garrett.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Tom
What is Tom Garrett's current role?
As of 2026, Tom Garrett is Founder & Winemaker.
Where did Tom Garrett train or study?
Tom Garrett trained at Middlebury College.
What is Tom Garrett known for?
Cabernet Franc.
