Fresno is set to indulge in an exceptional experience with our esteemed winemaker, Bradley Smith, hailing from the renowned Napa Valley. A Fresno native, Bradley pursued his passion for winemaking, earning his Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology in 1999. Over the past 22 years, Bradley has carved a stellar reputation in Napa, crafting exquisite wines for esteemed wineries such as Silenus Vintners, August Briggs, and Laird Family Estate.
Bradley’s dedication and expertise have garnered him numerous accolades, including a remarkable 97 points for Silenus Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. His prowess was further recognized when his creation was awarded the title of “Best Red Bordeaux” at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards in 2012.
Specializing in crafting premium wines from the Bordeaux and Rhone regions of France, Bradley’s repertoire includes Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
At DORVAL Estate Winery, we are privileged to have Bradley Smith, a world-class winemaker rooted in the heart of California wine country, leading our endeavors.
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More About Brad
Brad was born and raised in Fresno, a graduate of Hoover High School. His father worked for a farm insurance company and he would often take Brad along during school holidays to visit farmers who were his clients all across the San Joaquin Valley. Brad enjoyed the idea of the farmer’s life, but never expected that he would ever be directly involved in agriculture himself.
After completing a college a degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior, he came to the Napa Valley to work at a spa and hotel in Calistoga. At the time, he aspired to manage resort hotels. However, he immediately fell in love with the wine business and the art of making fine wine. He took a job giving tours and tastings at Mumm Napa Valley. Then in 1996, he returned to Fresno to study Enology (the science of wine) at Fresno State. After completing his studies in 1999 he returned to Napa as the Enologist for a small family winery called Benessere Vineyards. In 2001, he accepted a position at Laird Family Estate as the assistant winemaker. Laird is a large, luxury level “custom crush” winery. At Laird Brad was privileged to work with many of the most famous and talented consulting winemakers in the Napa Valley. From 2008 to 2018 Brad was the winemaker and production manager at Silenus Winery in Napa. Since 2018 Brad has operated a small flower farm and worked as consulting winemaker and wine educator.
He is beyond thrilled to be returned to Fresno to bring the knowledge and experience gleaned from his years in Napa Valley to Dorval Winery in his home in the San Joaquin Valley.
Brad says, “My winemaking philosophy is to always combine the wisdom of the past with the latest knowledge to create wine that is balanced, harmonious, and distinctive.”
