Focus on Jean Hoelfiger, Alpha Omega co-owner, winemaker and consulting oenologist

“I was born in Lausanne, Switzerland to parents who have nothing to do with wine. I started studying in law and in asset management. I didn’t like it. After a while I said ‘stop, this must change’. The wine theme kept recurring in my personal life, so I explored this sector. My godfather’s family has owned a vineyard (Fonjala S.A.) since 1552. When I first started I asked him if wine was the solution to my career questions, he made me taste with the oenologist all 62 tanks in the winery. Being young and novice in the sector, I spat nothing. I was so tipsy that I said I would never change work!

So I started working with Chasselat, Gamay and Pinot Noir, then I worked for various properties in France (Château Carbonnieux, Château Lynch-Bages), in Switzerland, in the USA (Newton Vineyard), in New Zealand, and in South Africa... And after all that I came back here to California.

My work in South Africa fascinated me. I was very interested in working with grape marc and lees. This experience was great. I am a real enthusiast about wine and winemaking. Learning about wine excites me! Recently I was contacted to make a tequila. This is a project that I like. I can explore something new for me.

In 2014 we bought Tolosa Winery. There we discovered beautiful unexploited land, especially limestone. We have beautiful plans for this vineyard.”

A man that I can described in a few words: epicurean, human, natural, simple and in love with his work / wine.