About
Love for the Land
Located in the beautiful Uvas Valley, Dorcich Family Vineyards is family owned, grown, and operated.
As farmers and landowners, we love the land and are ever mindful of giving back to the land what the grapes take out each year.
Environmental stewardship comes naturally because it makes sense for our business, our family, and our community.
Passion
Our story begins in 1897 , when our great grandfather sailed from Croatia with plans to do what he knew best, work hard as a farmer and create roots for his family in America. Three generations later, we carry on his passion for farming and commitment to family by working together to create wines he would be proud and pleased to drink.
Craftsmanship
Today, you’ll find our father and brother Nicholas, working side-by-side to farm the land and manage the vineyards. The rest of the family is involved in business operations and we work together to support our father’s commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious farming and wine growing.
Stephen N. Dorcich
Wine Grower
Our father has been farming almost his entire life. He began building the foundation for his intuitive style of farming practices early on. At 8 years old, he started working for his father in the pear orchards in North San Jose and by 12, he was spending most of his free time on a tractor maintaining the orchards.
His goal as a wine grower is to provide the winemaker with the best fruit possible. For dad, the vineyard is an exercise in harmony and balance. The vines have to maintain just the correct level of water and nutrients. The fruit load has to be matched to the soil fertilization, the vines capacity for quality, and the micro-climate.
Each year, for the last 30 years, he has worked hard to put back into the land what the grapes take to maintain a perfect unity with the natural surroundings of Uvas Valley.
Terah Bajjalieh
Winemaker
A native Californian, Terah found her love of wine from her travels across the globe. She started her professional career in hospitality and studied at the International Culinary Institute in Campbell California, where she completed the Level II sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
She then immersed herself in all aspects of the industry consulting with a variety of sommeliers and brands while working in wine bars, a Michelin-starred restaurant, wine education and even dabbled in some wine writing. Her winemaking experience developed while traveling and working through California, Oregon, Europe, South America, and Australasia working 15 harvests covering five countries.
Her wine is truly inspired by her travels and learnings in cellars across the globe. Terah brings a broad, international perspective to the program. Her winemaking style leans toward classic old world.
Terah also produces her own label, Terah Wine Co., in California.
Colleen Gibson
DTC Sales Manager
Colleen is a California native, and has been with us since our first few years. She was originally drawn to the industry because it blended two of her favorite things: wine and people.
She’s started her career with Pietra Santa Winery in Hollister, California, as a tasting room associate. She immediately fell in love with the industry, and quickly advanced to Tasting Room & Wine Club Manager. Four years later, she joined us as our DTC Sales Manager.
Colleen (aka “team mom”) is the face of our tasting room, and shares the story behind our wine with visitors daily. She helps manage the tasting room events, staff and sales, as well as our exclusive wine club and website sales.
In her free time, Colleen loves antique shopping, wine tasting, and gardening. If she’s not at the winery, you can usually find her at the beach or spending time with family and friends. Her favorite wine varieties include Pinot Noir, Bordeaux & Rhone Blends, and Barbara.