Our Team
Betty hails from Minnesota. Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food and wine fueled the fires that transitioned her from owner/teacher of a cooking school in Minneapolis, to creating a winery in Napa Valley.
In Napa, Betty fell in love with the beauty of the land, the vineyards, and the climate. In 1990 she landed in Oakville with a parcel of land, including vineyards and a home site. Betty reconnected with her deep rooted appreciation of the soil and the bounties it brings. Over the next few years, additional vineyards on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder added to the source available for varieties of grapes.
In addition to the vineyards and wineries, Betty remains an active volunteer and philanthropist in the community, including serving on the board for Napa Community Bank and Trustee for Napa's Queen of the Valley Medical Center.
Paul, too, began life in the Midwest. Born almost on the campus of Indiana University, Paul later moved to New Mexico. He now sheepishly admits there developing the beginnings of a passion for wine – albeit on brands that today no serious vigneron would admit consuming. Then law school and his practice allowed the drive to learn about wine to thrive. That drive culminated in a fortuitous wine tasting where he met Betty.
Together, they now share a challenging goal of making the best possible wine from the exceptional vineyards they steward. Likewise they are most fortunate to enjoy family life provided by numerous children (all girls) and even more grandchildren (mostly boys).
Sean Capiaux, has deftly established his impressive and notable career over the past 21 years at prominent wineries around the globe. He graduated from California State University, Fresno (BS, Enology; minor in Chemistry) in the late 80's. Sean then began his career at Jordan Winery in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley. He joined the Houghton Winery located outside Perth for one harvest. Sean then returned to the United States as assistant winemaker at Pine Ridge Winery in the Stags Leap district of Napa Valley. Two years later the Peter Michael Winery in Calistoga tapped Sean as the assistant winemaker.
In 1994, Sean launched his own label, Capiaux Cellars, which has garnered favorable reactions among professional reviewers, a cadre of restaurateurs, and consumers. In 1996, Sean moved temporarily to New York so his wife could attend Cornell University. As a bicoastal winemaker, Sean continued to produce Capiaux Cellars Pinot Noir in California, while working as the winemaker for Macari Vineyards, Jamesport Vineyards and Schneider Vineyards on the north Fork of Long Island.
In additon to Progeny Winery, Sean serves as winemaker and COO for O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery today, consistently creating world class mountain Cabernets, while continuing to make his Capiaux Cellars Pinot Noirs. Sean describes his winemaking style as neo-classic in that he employs modern equipment to produce non- interventious wines which he naturally ferments, and bottles unfined and unfiltered. Sean's technique allows the varietal character to showcase beautifully.
Sean, his wife Gina, their two children and a very large dog reside in Napa.
A California native, growing up in Marin County, Alan Pierson began his studies as a student in Art History at the College of Marin. Surrounding his artistic life as a ceramicist and sculptor, Alan has always had an intense interest in food, wine, building, design, horticulture and landscaping.
For twenty years, designing, building and managing what is now the Peter Michael Winery Estate, Alan played an integral role in the genesis and development of the estate winery and vineyard program. He also used his many talents as Estate Manager, as well as Artistic Director of a non-profit organization raising money for the performing arts. His palate for fine wines was fed and expanded while managing The Vineyard Cellars.
In the summer of 2002, Alan started a new challenge on the slopes of Mt. Veeder with Sage Vineyards, developing and managing an estate vineyard and wine program while maintaining an active role as part owner of L'Angevin Wines