Meet the Team: Kyle Theriot

Blog Post

Kyle Theriot, our Director of Vineyard Operations at Monte Bello, has been a part of the Ridge team since 2011. After leaving his last vineyard management position in Paso Robles in search of a smaller operation where he could make an impact, he returned to the Santa Cruz mountains where he grew up.

How Kyle Came to Work at Ridge

The timing of his return was serendipitous, Ridge was then looking for a new viticulturist at Monte Bello, and Kyle knew of the winery from living in the area. He faxed in his resume and got a call back. With a degree in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and and a childhood spent in his family’s apple orchards, Kyle was a natural fit to his field.

What Does Vineyard Management Look Like to Kyle?

A typical day for Kyle starts early in the day. At six in the morning he arrives and greets the crew. They go over their goals for the day, challenges, and anything else that needs to be addressed during the work day. Kyle says the biggest challenge of his work is keeping on top of operations and moving efficiently, because the size of the vineyards mean his team is often very spread out.

What About Ridge Keeps Him Here?

Like many employees at Ridge, Kyle has been a part of the team longer than the typical industry standard. He says the personal relationships, location, and welcoming nature of the company keep him here. And according to Kyle, these things make Ridge the only winery he’d want to work at in the area.

Fun Facts About Kyle

Kyle now lives in his childhood home next to the apple orchards, with his wife and two young boys. Of all Ridge wines, Kyle claims his favorites include the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Pagani Ranch Zinfandel.