Steve Beresini
“Chief Dog of the Vines” | Grapegrower/Winemaker/Co-proprietor
At Black Dog Ranch, we believe The Nose Knows™—and in Steve Beresini’s case, it’s been leading him to great wine since 1969. As for me? I’m Molly, Chief Vineyard Companion and proud descendant of Corleone the matriarch. I’ve been exploring the vineyards for years now, and let’s just say the legacy nose runs in the family.
Steve’s story begins in Woodside, California, but his heart was always in Napa. He planted his first vineyard in 1970, trusting his gut—and his senses—to guide him. Early on, he grew grapes for iconic wineries like Stags Leap Wine Cellars and Joseph Phelps Vineyards. From the vineyard, he made his way into the cellar at Phelps, learning the craft one barrel at a time.
That journey eventually led him to Niebaum Coppola, where he became the Winemaker and worked alongside the legendary André Tchelistcheff—the winemaker who famously said, “The nose knows.” André’s philosophy was to trust your instincts and lead with aroma. It’s a belief we still live by today—canine and human alike.
In 1988, Steve returned to the land, planting six acres in Los Carneros. Today, the vineyard is home to nearly five acres of Chardonnay and just under two acres of Pinot Noir. For decades, our fruit has been sought after by some of Napa and Sonoma’s most respected producers—MacRostie, Staglin, Goosecross, Tor Kenward, and more.
Now, we bottle our own story.
Beresini Wines features small-lot Pinot Noir made with care and character. In exceptional vintages, we produce Chardonnay that truly reflects the character of this location. And starting in 2020, we introduced a Rosé that’s as crisp and expressive as a Carneros vineyard sunset. In 2021, we got a little playful and blended Pinot Noir and Syrah into the Wagging Tail Red Blend. It’s bold, balanced, and full of character. Just like me!
Our story is rooted in loyalty, legacy, and decades spent walking the rows—rain or shine, paws on the ground. We believe in instinct, heart, and taking the scenic route whenever possible.
Because at Black Dog Ranch, good wine—like a good dog—never lets you down.
Debra Beresini
“Top Dog of Ops” | Wine Everything/Co-proprietor
Hi, it’s Molly again—your friendly four-legged narrator. I want to tell you about the real boss around here: Debra Beresini.
Debra’s been leading the pack at Black Dog Ranch for over 20 years. Before that, she ran with the big dogs in venture capital, banking, and startups. Pretty impressive, right? But don’t let the boardrooms and business plans fool you—Debra knows how to roll up her sleeves and get her boots dusty.
These days, she wears about a dozen hats on the ranch—handling everything from sales and marketing to customer care and, yes, even spreadsheets (I bark in moral support).
But her favorite role? Official wine taster. She’s got a keen nose for a great vintage, and let’s just say, a great nose runs in the family.
Before trading tech for terroir, Debra spent years in Silicon Valley, where she sat on the boards of numerous emerging growth companies and supported women-led ventures through her work in venture capital. Today, she serves on the board of Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, a nonprofit close to her heart.
She’s also the voice behind For the Love of Wine, a regular feature in the Kenwood Press where she interviews winemakers, winery owners, and wine lovers. And as a proud member of Wine Women, she’s all about lifting up the people behind the pour.
Smart, dedicated, and always up for a good glass of Pinot—Debra’s the kind of farmer every vineyard (and every vineyard dog) dreams of working with.
